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ANDREI ARLOVSKI'S OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME Friday, January 23, 2009 - by Tom Hamlin - MMAWeekly.com Saturday will mark the culmination of eight years worth of challenges for Andrei Arlovski. Facing him at Affliction’s “Day of Reckoning” is the man generally considered to be the scariest, most talented, ruthless fighter to set foot on MMA’s canvas: Fedor Emelianenko.
For three months, this phrase has almost become a mantra: He’s only human.
A necessary reminder, of course, for a man many believe to be unbeatable.
“I thought nobody can beat me, but everybody knows that Tim Sylvia beat me twice,” counters Arlovski. “He’s a human. I guess he was prepared for all the fights very good.”
Arlovski wants the world to know he prepared for the fight of his life like no other. For three months, his web series, “Arlovski 360,” has chronicled the sweat shed for Emelianenko, along with his thoughts on facing the champion. It’s a record for him, too. Whatever happens on Jan. 24, he can look at the tape and know he did his best.
But to beat the unbeatable, the journey really begins and ends in his mind.
“I have to be mentally prepared for this fight I think the most,” he said. “I want to be the first in MMA to beat Fedor.”
Another mantra follows this wish: I will do everything possible to beat him.
Arlovski says the addition of Freddie Roach made his camp more experimental, a welcome change from the usual orbit of boxing/wrestling/jiu-jitsu, that, while necessary, gets old. Roach’s inexperience in the world of MMA shook up the well-defined play between steady coaches Mike Garcia, Dino Costeas, and Sean Bormet.
“I was really surprised, and at the same time excited, because Freddie asked me…'what can you do for example, can you kick here or punch there?' says Arlovski. "And all my trainers are here. Everybody asks each other, ‘what do you think about this?’ Everybody is on the same page, and it’s great. Freddie asks ‘what if you kick him low here or front kick here, can you punch here?’ I think so, let’s try it.”
Emelianenko is the clear favorite on the ground, simply because Arlovski doesn’t relish that part of the game as much. They share a Sambo background, but for Arlovski, it’s just an awareness of moves he’ll have to counteract with his jiu-jitsu. Through his years with Costeas, the Brazilian art has replaced the Russian pastime in significance.
“If I be on the ground with Fedor, I have to do something else,” he explains. “I’m practicing this way. I have to like the guard better, look for armbars and leglocks, so I’m ready.”
Ready, he says, to implement the real game plan.
“I have to try and knock him out, that’s it,” Arlovski says. “I’m ready for both ways.”
There are thoughts of a future in boxing, but they are the least of his concerns right now.
“I’m focused on my fight with Fedor, and we’ll see what happens after,” he says.
When he steps into the ring with Emelianenko on Saturday, he’ll be looking for more than just a belt. He wants to be called the world’s best.
“All my life I’ve been preparing for this fight, and I want more than anything to be champion on Jan. 24,” he says. “They put my arm in the air and call me the champion, it’s a great moment. I train hard for this moment.”
This should be an epic battle between two unbelievably talented monsters of MMA. I don't even know how to call it though.
__________________ "An eye for an eye only blinds the world." - Ghandi
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein
"Without deviation from the norm progress is not possible." - Frank Zappa
By the way, have you settled on a date you'd prefer in May?
__________________ "An eye for an eye only blinds the world." - Ghandi
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein
"Without deviation from the norm progress is not possible." - Frank Zappa
But having followed Fedor for nearly his entire career I just don't see anyone in the heavyweight lineup that presents a problem for him.
Arlovski is a great fighter, but Fedor is just a machine.
I am clear in May, so you tell me what works best for you guys and I am there for sure!
Point noted on Fedor.
I'll break out the calendar with LF this weekend and have a secure date for you on Monday. Looking forward to rolling and learning some of that Yamasaki brand jui-jitsu.
__________________ "An eye for an eye only blinds the world." - Ghandi
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein
"Without deviation from the norm progress is not possible." - Frank Zappa
ANDREI ARLOVSKI'S OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME
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