Arlovski’s Next Fight On Hold Pending Contract Negotiations
According to Steve Seivert of Brawl Sports former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski may not be fighting anytime soon due to ongoing contract negotiations with the UFC. Here’s an excerpt from his article on the situation:
“…comments such as “where else is he going to go” and the contract “has to make sense for us” send a clear message as to who has the upper hand in the ongoing negotiations. The UFC won’t book Arlovski until the contract issue is resolved. The harsh reality is he’s a mediocre 2-2 in his last four and just hasn’t been impressive since 2005. A year ago, the UFC couldn’t afford to let Arlovski walk. Today, the heavyweight division has ample fire power, and doesn’t need Arlovski to make big fights.
Arlovski could look to EliteXC as an option. He’d be a huge “get” for that organization and instantly be the top dog.”
Although Seivert (as well as myself) believe the UFC will ultimately end up re-signing Arlovski do you think the UFC could afford to lose him as both a top heavyweight fighter and a personality that is able to draw lots of attention from fans?
For now it appears his next UFC fight is indefinitely on hold but I will keep you up to speed on the situation as it progresses.
Tags: Andrei Arlovski
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This is what I was scared of. The last thing I want is Arlovski going elsewhere. Doesn't this frustrate you guys knowing the UFC is on verge of mainstream status and they don't want to pay one of their loyal fighters for years a few extra bucks?
All these dream match ups of Arlovski vs. Cro Cop, Fedor, Couture or Vera will be put on hold if he defects elsewhere. Can you blame Arlovski for wanting to go elsewhere if the other organization is willing to pay him? I hope he signs an extention.
“Where else are they going to go?” is the reality behind the line that is usually given publicly (”We don’t like to talk about money”), and it makes it all the more ridiculous for anyone to suggest that it doesn’t affect fighter pay when one company has 90% market share of an industry.
I don't want him going anywhere else either……but, as far as "loyal fighters" go, a fighter is usually only as loyal as his contract. Appart from franchise fighters such as Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture, I am not surprisd when it is hard to sign a fighter who's record is so-so. Look what happened with Tito or Vitor Belfort. I love Arlovski (oldschool Arlovski) but he knew his contract was coming up, and he should have went after it in his last couple of fights like he wanted it.
I don't see how Arlovski could possibly ask for a raise. He already gets paid a ton every fight. Seriously, in his last 4 fights he is 2-2. Loss, Sylvia, Loss Sylvia, Beat Pe de Pano, beat Werdum. Andre has lost to the "swamp thing" twice.
The UFC doesn't need him so bad that he has ability to ask for a raise. Kos just got paid 10 g's to co-headline PPV. Arlovski should deal with the 150,000 he gets a fight or whatever it is and stop trying to ask for more.
I am going to be very upset if Arlovski leaves. What is the UFC going to do when Couture retires. I know there is Cro Cop and guys like Minotauro and Vera, but what if they don't pan out. Out of all the fighters mentioned besides Vera; Arlovski is the most marketable as Heavyweight Champion; dude has the body and he speacks good English.
Win a fight – get a bonus, there's your raise. Lose a fight and don't get paid as much? Hit the gym and practice harder and leave it all on the mat in the big show. You can't complain if you've looked pathetic in your last couple fights and management doesn't want to give you a raise, it's called a performance review.
"I don't see how Arlovski could possibly ask for a raise."
Um, how about the fact that Zuffa's PPV events have generated over $300 million in gross PPV revenue in the time since he signed his previous contract? How about the pending $100 million+ Spike TV renewal? The UFC is a lot richer than they were the last time Arlovski's contract came up for renewal and they can afford to pay him, and other fighters, more.
You're too right Ivan, the UFC has loads of money and the fighters as receving little to no benefit from the UFC being mainstream. Arlovski deserves a slight raise on the crowd he draws alone and people make it sould like he has no talent at all. While he is 2-2 in his last 4 I think the UFC should resign him to keep the HW division strong.
I'm sure Zuffa is offering him a "slight" raise, but I am willing to bet he is asking for more, and a title fight. Fighters need to earn their shot. As far as the MILLIONS the UFC generates in pay per views, the new revinew is do to (very much so) the fight between Forrest Griffin and Stephen Bonner. They get paid well but do not get near as much as Arlovski. I realize he is a higher calliber fighter, but he is not the lone reason people watch fights. If he leaves, people will still watch. When I order a pay per view, I expect the fighters to let it all out, and there have been a few instances where I wasn't happy with the money I spent.
"..Um, how about the fact that Zuffa's PPV events have generated over $300 million in gross PPV revenue .."
Um, how about Arlovski has little to do with that now, um, he can already make over 6 figures per fight, um, ever since Sylvia KO'ed him he has fought like crap….
Look, I like Arlovski, but he is not a person who deserves a raise to me. He already makes 6 figures if he wins, not bad, better than 95% of the other UFC fighters. I agree that the UFC needs to pay thier fighters more, but Arlovski ain't one of them!
"..,Andrei Arlovski: $145,0O0 ($90000 to fight; $55000 win bonus) …"
Oh yeah, he is hurting.
Arlovski deserves to ask for more money and deserves a title shot. Let's not forget that Dana White said Arlovski would get a title shot, if he beat Werdum. With all that pressure in a three round fight with a ground specialist; Arlovski played it safe and won the fight. The fight wasn't exciting, but a win is a win and Arlovski won. I, too would be upset with I was Arlovski; he pretty much is getting ripped off not getting a title shot and not getting the increase in pay he wants.
what's with all the arlovski bashing? he took out werdum with a smart game plan…exactly like griffin did in his last fight to score a win. before that he beat the living hell out of Marcio Cruz. Sure, the werdum win was boring, and the loss in Sylvia-Arlovski 3 was a snoozefest, but the guy fights. I understand there was some people pissed about two of his four fights, but the other two were very good fights, even though he lost one. Randy was 2-2 before last Saturday, with two losses to the same dude. admittedly, none were boring by any means (not bashing Randy) but come on…unless he's asking for the house, sign the guy. Sign him to a contract with a huge win bonus. That's what I call motivation.Â
I agree with you one hundred percent garth. I think Arlovski is going to be as motivated, as ever. He realizes he has to step his MMA game up a notch or two and if he does that; then he might be the UFC Heavyweight Champion in a matter of time.
"…Sign him to a contract with a huge win bonus. That's what I call motivation. …."
Now that's a good idea.
Anything to motivate Arlovski works for me, whether it is paying him top dollar or giving him a title shot or both. Arlovski can still be a force in the UFC and that won't happen until the UFC pays him what he wants.
AA does deserve a title shot if he can beat a top contender but not a raise for his last few boring fights. I'm a huge fan of his and i realize that ufc fighters are underpaid… but unless your gonna bring it like RC, Rampage, hendo, wanderlei, forrest, …fo getabout asking for a huge raise. AA can be very exciting and to agree with comment #15 his contract should have large win bonuses.
I like the win bonus as well, it would motivate him to win and would make it easier on the UFC should he flop.
Arlovski is my favorite fighter and I just think everybody needs to get a grip and hurry up and sign him, there are to many good dream matches that arlovski could participate in like I wish it would be Arlovski vs. vera I was hopping the pitbull would shut his mouth once and for all
The UFC will sign him again they are just holding out. They want him probably worse than he wants the UFC but its a buisness and they are holding the good cards so to speak. The UFC wants whats best for the UFC (which is good fights, ie Knockouts) and thats Arlovski’s mo. So he’ll be back and will also be “paid” accordingly.
I hope he is still trainning, because as soon as they sign him, they will make him fight. He has been on a “layoff” for quite a while now, and he could be getting lazy. I was a big fan of the Pitbull when he was on his KO spree, but after Sylvia KOed him, he slowed down and became a tenetive. I hope he has become the “FORCE” he once was and has regained his confidence. I think in his last fight with Sylvia he could have won if he would have pressed him.