Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski seems to have just had his last fight–at least in the UFC.
During Dana White’s press conference after UFC 303, the UFC CEO said, “this was Andrei’s last fight.” Here’s a look at the press conference.
The segment relating to Arlovski’s future with the UFC happens near the 8-minute mark.
Arlovski lost to Martin Buday on the UFC 303 prelims via split decision in one of the more lackluster fights on the card. The loss was the legendary Belarusian’s fourth defeat in a row.
The last time he won, he defeated Jake Collier via split decision in April 2022. That win capped off a four-fight streak, revitalizing the veteran heavyweight’s career.
However, at 45, it seems he has landed at the end. It sounds as if Saturday’s loss was the last fight on Arlovski’s contract with the UFC. He could elect to pursue more fights with another organization.
Arlovski has gone that route before. In 2008, Arlovski left the UFC and signed with Affliction. In his first fight outside of the UFC, he defeated another veteran of the sport, Ben Rothwell.
During his time away from the UFC, Arlovski fought for Elite XC, Strikeforce, One FC, Pro Elite, World Series of Fighting, and Fight Nights Global. He has competed against or beaten well-known fighters and legends like Pedro Rizzo, Tim Sylvia (four times), Fabricio Werdum, Roy Nelson, Fedor Emelianenko, Sergei Kharitonov, Antonio Silva (twice), Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, Brendan Schaub, Travis Browne, Frank Mir, Stipe Miocic, Alistair Overeem, Josh Barnett, Francis Ngannou, Stefan Struve, Tai Tuivasa, Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Tom Aspinall.
Arlovski’s career will likely be remembered most for his four-fight saga with Sylvia. Their first battle was for the then-vacant interim heavyweight championship in 2005, and Arlovski won the belt via Achilles Lock. Sylvia won the rematch and captured the UFC championship from Arlovski via KO in 2006.
Three months later, Sylvia defeated Arlovski again to defend his title successfully. The fourth Arlovski-Sylvia meeting happened under the ONE FC banner, but the result was deemed a no-contest. Arlovski appeared to win via TKO after he dropped Sylvia with a combination of punches.
However, he followed those shots up with illegal soccer kicks to the head as Sylvia went to the ground. In any case, Arlovski’s pro career spans an impressive 25 years, and if he is finished, he will walk away from the sport with a 34-24 record and 20 finishes (17 KOs and three submissions).
There may not be a fighter in any other division who has faced as many needle-moving opponents from different eras in their weight class as Arlovski.
Here is a look at all of the results from UFC 303.
MAIN CARD
- Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka via second-round TKO (0:18)
- Diego Lopes def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
- Roman Dolidze def. Anthony Smith via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
- Macy Chiasson def. Mayra Bueno Silva via TKO (R2, 1:58) (Dr. stoppage)
- Ian Machado Garry def. Michael Page via unanimous decision
PRELIM CARD
- Joe Pyfer def. Marc-Andre Barriault via first-round KO (1:25)
- Andre Fili def. Cub Swanson via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
- Jean Silva def. Charles Jourdain via second-round KO (1:20)
- Payton Talbott def. Yanis Ghemmouri via first-round KO (0:19)
- Gillian Robertson def. Michelle Waterson-Gomez via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-26)
- Martin Buday def. Andrei Arlovski via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
- Rei Tsuruya def. Carlos Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
- Vinicius Oliveira def. Ricky Simon via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
