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Andrei Arlovski coming to Columbus
Monday, January 21, 2008
Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski is booked for UFC 82, which takes place March 1 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.
The 28-year-old Belarusian has been sidelined since April 2007. Although his management team and the UFC won't call it a contract dispute, Arlovski has just one fight remaining on his current deal.
Extras
And the UFC very rarely allows a fighter — especially one of Arlovski's stature — to complete the last fight of his contract without first signing an extension. However, it appears Arlovski will do that.
As for an opponent, Jake O'Brien's manager says his fighter is just days away from signing a bout agreement.
So, why is that a big deal?
O'Brien, a former Purdue University wrestler, is a perfect 10-0 in his career. But the 23-year-old's wrestling-heavy fighting style presents a problem to many opponents: O'Brien can hold them down to grind out a decision, and he can make them look like boring fighters in the process.
If Arlovski hits the open market, his value could take a hit with a lackluster showing against O'Brien.
In any manner, tickets for UFC 82 are now on sale.
Davis' streak alive
UFC welterweight Marcus Davis earned his 11th straight victory — including his sixth straight win in the UFC — with a first-round KO of Jess Liaudin at Saturday's UFC 80 event in Newcastle, England.
The 34-year-old former professional boxer needed just two years to become a well-rounded MMA fighter. However, he says the transformation happened with help from Jorge Gurgel's MMA training center in West Chester Twp.
"It's like my second home there," Davis said. "I met Jorge on "The Ultimate Fighter" (season two), and we really hit it off. He's my boy."
KOTC hires area exec
MMA executive Mike Camp has been named Tournament Director by King of the Cage, one of the sport's longest-running and most successful organizations. Camp, who's worked with regional promotions such as Legends of Fighting and Fightfest, also guided the careers of some Ohio and Indiana fighters who were later signed by the UFC.
With his new position, Camp will organize amateur four-man tournaments. The winners can earn professional contracts with KOTC, M-1 Global, ICON Sport and other KOTC partner promotions.
Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com, a content-partner site of Yahoo! Sports. For the latest UFC news and rumors, check out www.mmajunkie.com.
