Saturday, June 06, 2009

Weekend preview: Eight fights worth watching

Originally posted on USAtoday.com

3) Strikeforce: Andrei Arlovski vs. Brett Rogers. Two heavyweights in need of a big-name to fight have found each other. Affliction Entertainment hasn't been shy about placing Arlovski on other promotions' cards — this will be the ex-UFC champion's second fight for another organization over the past year. In the wake of his knockout loss to Fedor Emelianenko in January, Arlovski wants to try professional boxing, but until that happens, he'll have to settle for the up-and-coming Rogers.

At least Arlovski won't have to worry about going to the mat. In starting his professional MMA career 9-0, Rogers has won eight fights via knockout or technical knockout on the feet. But his brawling style plays right into the hands (and knees and feet) of Arlovski, who has become the most technically proficient striker in the heavyweight division. As long Arlovski doesn't do something foolish and keeps his chin tucked, he should be the one to place a "1" on the right side of Rogers' fight record.

But if he's careless as he was for just a few seconds against Emelianenko, it could be another bad highlight reel for Arlovski, who not only has five KO or TKO losses, but has suffered at least a couple of the extremely dramatic, eyes-open-but-out-cold variety.

Click here to read the entire article at USAtoday.com

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