Andre Arlovski isn't done yet.
At UFC 303, Arlovski fought his final UFC bout, losing by split decision to Martin Budai. The bout was Arlovski's 42nd UFC bout, second all-time behind Jim Miller, and merely added to his extensive list of heavyweight records, including number of bouts, fight time and effective strikes. Coming into the bout, the former heavyweight champion said he knew it would be his final UFC bout.
“I knew it was going to be my last fight,” Arlovski said. MMA Hour“UFC offered to do something, but I didn't want to do it because my chapter with UFC was over, but definitely not with my MMA career. So I decided not to do anything. And, yes, that was my last fight.” [in the UFC].
“So I didn't want to do a goodbye video or anything. But I'm grateful for the UFC family, Dana. [White]Hunter [Campbell]. [But] I'm not done fighting yet. I'm done with UFC, but I'm not done fighting.”
Arlovski was the last active fighter to compete for UFC before Zuffa LLC acquired the company in 2001. After making his promotional debut at UFC 28 in 2000, Arlovski spent most of the next 24 years under the UFC banner, though he also fought for four years in various promotions. That's a long time to spend with one organization, and even someone as level-headed as “The Pit Bull” wasn't sure he'd be able to control his emotions at UFC 303.
“To be honest with you, I thought I would be like a bawling baby or cry like a little bitch,” Arlovski said. “But today, I sat down and thought to myself, this is not the end of my life. Of course, I spent the most time training and fighting at UFC, but I did not sign a new contract with UFC and I have left UFC. My chapter with UFC is over, but life is not over yet.”
“So, like I said, I'm very excited and actually, I'm very happy with the way I'm holding up. [my feelings] I was on my way out of the Octagon and backstage to see the doctor about everything that happened during the fight. Thank goodness.
“Obviously, I was a little touched. Actually, what's funny is, after the game, I got back to the hotel and First Round Management gave me a nice present, a nice ring with diamonds and a Pit Bull logo on it… [Abe Kawa] I gave a speech and, I'm not going to lie, it brought tears to my eyes.”
Arlovski's future plans are still up in the air, but the former heavyweight champion insists he plans to keep fighting for a few more years.
“I'd like to break a couple more records,” Arlovski said. “One is Bernard Hopkins. He fought his last fight at 48 and became the champion. He won that fight. Of course, Uncle Dana helped me buy a new house, but I've got bills to pay. I've got a new baby on the way, so I've got a couple more years to do something.”
Hopkins continued to fight into his 50s, defending the IBF light heavyweight title until he was 49, so at 45, Arlovski still has a few years left to catch up with “The Executioner.” And with that in mind, there's always the chance Arlovski could return to the UFC one day. He's certainly left the door open.
“My first UFC was UFC 28, and I actually was like, what if…it's always a hope, right?,” Arlovski said. “If I get signed again, I would love for UFC 328 to be my last fight at UFC, after my 300th UFC. But who knows what will happen, so we'll see.”
But even if that doesn't happen, Arlovski is happy with how his UFC career has unfolded and takes great pride in what he's accomplished.
“I guess you could say I'm a real fighter,” Arlovski said. “Twenty-four years in the United States, almost 20 years fighting in the best organization. Twenty years in the best league. When you look at how it's gone from the beginning to now, it's like wow.”
Arlovski finished his UFC career with a record of 23 wins, 18 losses and one no-contest.
