Andrei Arlovski and Ben Rothwell will clash for the second time at UFC San Antonio.
A pair of heavyweights who first clashed back under the Affliction banner will collide for a second time at UFC San Antonio. Ben Rothwell and Andrei Arlovski have been added to the card, per an initial report by ESPN. The event, which will be UFC on ESPN 4, goes down July 20 at San Antonio’s AT&T Center.
The duo first met at Afflicition: Banned in 2008, a card topped by Fedor Ememlianenko taking on Tim Sylvia. Rothwell faced Arlovski in the co-feature, which resulted in Arlovski securing a first round knockout.
In more recent times, Rothwell (36–11) has been stuck on the sidelines thanks to a doping policy violation. That kept him out of action for all of 2017 and 2018. He returned at UFC Wichita earlier this year, but lost a decision against Blagoy Ivanov. ‘Big’ Ben will now look to turn things around against Arlovski, who has been going through a different kind of struggle of late.
A former UFC heavyweight champion, Andrei Arlovski (27–18 (2)) exited the promotion in 2008, and after a couple of wins outside the promotion, secured a fight with Fedor Emelianenko — only to be knocked out early after a reckless attack on his own part. He then lost an additional three straight, with many seeing Belarus fighter as washed up. Arlovski, however, would prove his naysayers wrong. After his slump, he would run up a record of 6-1 (1NC), and re-sign with the UFC. He then won four straight bouts under the UFC banner, including victories over Travis Browne, Bigfoot Silva, and Frank Mir.
Arlovski then hit a five fight slump, and is 2-3 (1NC) currently, with a three fight losing streak dogging him currently. That slump would be four straight losses, were it not for a failed drug test by Walt Harris.
All of Arlovski’s losses in his most recent skid have come via decision. His last win came against Stefan Struve in March of 2018.
