LAS VEGAS – There have been a few moments in Andrei Arlovski’s career that he’s had to endure calls from critics that it’s time to hang up the gloves.
In fact, the most recent time wasn’t that far back, when the former UFC heavyweight champion was in a rough stretch of nine losses in 12 fights. But since a 29-second KO loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik in late 2019, Arlovski mostly has been on a tear.
These days, the 43-year-old has four straight wins and victories in six of his past seven during the pandemic era, all by decision. After a split call over Jake Collier (13-7 MMA, 5-6 UFC) in the UFC on ESPN 35 co-main event Saturday, Arlovski (34-20 MMA, 23-14 UFC) finds himself in legitimate title contention, which may have seemed unthinkable just a few years ago.
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