That's one way to erase the memory of his lackluster fight against Brendan Schaub at UFC 174 earlier this year.
Andrei Arlovski's much-anticipated return to the Octagon wasn't exactly filled with the fireworks everyone was hoping for. In fact, his fight against Brendan Schaub, which went down at UFC 174 back on June 14, 2014, was pretty much a dud, as both men failed to really dish out much offense.
But hey, it takes two to tango.
The result prompted Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White to criticize their performances and suggest that the bout should have been on the FOX Sports 1 "Prelims."
Still, despite that comment, White and Co. not only placed "The Pitbull" on the main card in his next fight, but gave him main event honors, as his bout against Antonio Silva will headline UFC Fight Night 51; which goes down this weekend (Sat., Sept. 13, 2014) in Brasilia, Brazil, and airs exclusively on Fight Pass.
And Arlovski, who spoke to reporters during his media day on location, is out to prove to UFC, the fans, and himself that he can perform better and promises that his fight against "Bigfoot" will be exactly what everyone is looking for.
"I didn't fight my best and I am not happy with my performance or the fight (vs. Brendan Schaub at UFC 174). I was nervous, too anxious to impress after not fighting in the UFC for so long. Now, I want to remind everyone what I am about and I will have the chance to do that against (Bigfoot) because he comes to fight. I will perform much better this Saturday. It will be an attack, attack, attack fight from both of us. I have trained very hard, worked on many aspects of my game, and I promise my fans and everyone who watches this will be a great fight. The UFC has trusted me by putting me in the main event, and I will (reward that trust). The fans won't be disappointed, I promise."
The bout will be a rematch four years in the making, as "Bigfoot" defeated "The Pitbull" via unanimous decision at Strikeforce: "Heavy Artillery" back in 2010. For Andrei, the only way to erase that memory is by knocking out the bulking Brazilian.
Which is exactly what he intends to do.
"We fought four years ago and I lost by decision. I am excited to get the chance at the rematch. I will knock him out, and then I won't hear about the first fight again. He says he will knock me out. He said that and good luck, because that won't happen."
At 35 years of age, Arlovski says he still feels young enough to take on the best UFC has to offer and feels a win over Silva will put him over the top.
"I still feel young, I have energy and power. Now I am with Greg Jackson, I still feel like I am improving as a fighter and that I can be a (factor) in the UFC heavyweight division. Bigfoot is ranked in the top five, and this is a huge chance for me to prove everything I am talking about. I need to get that knockout, I need that finish and I will go after it in the Octagon."
He's saying all the right things, but will the former UFC heavyweight champion deliver come fight night?
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