The 46-year-old Arlovski is a former UFC heavyweight champion, having won an interim title at UFC 51 in February of 2005. Arlovski was later promoted to undisputed champion after a successful interim title defense against Justin Eilers at UFC 53. After losing the belt to Tim Sylvia, Arlovski had an up-and-down career, leaving the UFC in 2008, but returning six years later, where he finished out his MMA career. Arlovski left the promotion again in 2024, following a four-fight losing streak. “The Pitbull” then made his Dirty Boxing debut earlier this year, stopping Terrance Hodges in the second round back in March.
A longtime MMA veteran with a record of 45-26-1, dos Santos made his BKFC debut back in April, stopping Aleksei Oleinik at BKFC 41.
Update An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that this would be Arlovski’s retirement fight. The story has been updated to remove that.
LFG!!!
Fuck yeah
I’m excited for this but think Arlovski gets KOd in spectacular fashion.
That dude was a world wrecker until his jaw got exposed by Buentello (?).
After that, it seemed like he could KO himself shaving.
The bout between Geronimo Dos Santos and Andrei Arlovski has been added to the BKFC 76 fight card on June 21 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. The pair square off in a five-round contest at heavyweight.
44-year-old Brazilian Geronimo Dos Santos (1-0) made his bare-knuckle boxing debut in April in Dubai, where he knocked out former UFC fighter Aleksei Oleinik (0-1) in the first round. 46-year-old former UFC heavyweight champion Arlovski is set to make his BKFC debut after stopping Terrance Hodges in the second round of their “Dirty boxing” bout in March in Miami.
BKFC President David Feldman announced Dos Santos vs Arlovski for the BKFC 76 card during the post-fight press conference following Saturday’s event in Salt Lake City. He also announced that former UFC flyweight title challenger Jessica Eye of Rootstown Township, OH, is scheduled to make her promotional debut at the upcoming event against an opponent to be named.
Eye last fought in July 2022, when she dropped a unanimous decision to Maycee Barber and suffered her fourth straight defeat. In June 2019, the 38-year-old challenged Valentina Shevchenko for the title but was knocked out in the second round by a head kick.
In the BKFC 76 main event, Franco Tenaglia (4-1) defends his lightweight title against Tony Soto (6-1) in a rematch. In their first fight last October, Tenaglia of Argentina defeated Soto of Hickory, NC, by majority decision.
The event is also scheduled to feature a heavyweight bout between Kenzie Morrison and Alex Davis, a light heavyweight matchup between Terryl Johnson and Kevin Sims, and a lightweight clash between Derek Campos and Jake Heffernan. Plus, Brandon Meneses and Willie Gates square off at bantamweight.
AA is a legend. UFC treated him poorly imo
Remember when Arlovski was supposed to fight in the 2010 K1 WGP?
AA folded Paul “fear the consequences” Buentello up. It wasn’t him but I get what you’re saying.
I can’t remember who the first person was to do so but that KO to Fedor was nasty.
Was it Sylvia?
I can’t fucking remember but I do remember that the first time AA got KO’d that was the beginning of the end for him as it seemed he was gun shy and was just dancing in front of opponents waiting to get KOd.
I think Andrei had a suspect chin from the beginning (arguably). His first fight he got koed bad by Datsik of all people. But then eventually made his way to the UFC title.
Bought my ticket a couple of weeks ago. Row 1 above the floor. Super pumped!
Rizzo KO’d him IIRC
I love Arlovski, but I don’t like this.
He’s taken enough damage. I’d rather see him do another Universal Soldier movie.