Arloski competed exclusively for the UFC from 2000 through 2008, including a reign as the promotion’s heavyweight champion, but was allowed to become a free agent in early-2008 despite a three-fight win streak and promptly signed with Affliction. After victories over Ben Rothwell and Roy Nelson pushed his win streak to five-straight, Arlovski suffered first-round knockouts to top-ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko and undefeated prospect Brett Rogers.

Affliction vice president Tom Atencio confirmed the news on Tuesday with Fighters Only, and also that the company will keep Tim Sylvia under contract for now despite back-to-back losses of his own and that Affliction has no plans for Fedor’s  brother Aleksander Emelianenko to fight for them in the future.

[Pictured: Andrei Arlovski]

• Joining Kimbo Slice and the previously rumored fighters on The Ultimate Fighter 10: Heavyweights, according to a rumored list of cast members that has circulated in recent days, will be Jim York, Justin Wren, Mike Wessel, Scott Junk, Zak Jensen, Darrill Schoonover, Jon Madsen, Tom Blackledge, and Abe Wagner.
• Andrei Arlovski has received a 60-day medical suspension following his first-round knockout loss to Brett Rogers at Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields on June 6, which has forced his boxing debut, which was to take place on June 27, to be postponed. Rafael Calvacante, who suffered a second-round TKO loss to Mike Kyle on the event’s preliminary card, was also suspended for 60 days.
• The first UFC Gym, whose features will include an “Arm Bar” with snacks and drinks, is set to open in Concord, California.
• After making critical remarks about Miletich Fighting Systems following his UFC 98 wins, Drew McFedries has been kicked out of the gym.
• Urijah Faber has been medically suspended until December 4th after suffering a broken right hand in his WEC 41 loss to Mike Brown on June 7.
• Lightweight contenders Ricardo Lamas and Danny Castillo will meet at WEC 42 in August.
• Randy Couture will train and corner Gina Carano for her Strikeforce 145-pound title bout against Cris Cyborg on August 15 in San Jose. Tickets for the event went on sale today and start at just $30.
• During a Q&A session before the UFC 99 weigh-ins, UFC President Dana White said he’s interested in signing Josh Barnett if he beats Fedor Emelianenko at Affliction: Trilogy in August.
• At the post-UFC 99 press conference on Saturday, Wanderlei Silva called for a rematch with Rich Franklin after suffering a close unanimous decision loss in the UFC 99 headliner. Dana White, meanwhile, wants Franklin to move back up to light heavyweight for a run at the 205-pound title.
• The UFC will host an event in the UK in October and the promotion is planning to hold 2 events in Canada in 2010, Dana White announced during the UFC 99 Q&A.
• At the post-UFC 99 press conference, welterweight contender Mike Swick said he’d “love to fight Matt Hughes”.
• A UFC 100 viewing party will be held at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall on July 11 with Frankie Edgar and Matt Hamill scheduled as special guests.
• Weigh-ins for The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale will take place this Friday at 4pm PT (7pm ET) at the Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas.
• Heavyweights Todd Duffee and Mike Russow are likely to fight at UFC 102 on August 29 in Portland, Oregon.
• Despite a planned appeal from Mostapha Al-Turk over his TKO loss to Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 99 on Saturday that was setup by an accidental eye poke, UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner announced on Monday that an appeal was not possible as it was a judgment call made by referee Dan Mirgliotta.
• Weigh-ins for Friday’s Showtime-televised Strikeforce Challengers event at the ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington will take place on Thursday at the venue’s Club Lounge and are free and open to the public.

[Pictured: Josh Barnett and Fedor Emelianenko]

8,867 fans attended the Showtime-televised event at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

Following the win, which improved Shields’ record to 23-4-1, the former EliteXC welterweight champion called for a middleweight title bout against Strikeforce champ Cung Le. Le, however, is not expected to defend his title for the indefinite future while pursuing a movie career and Shields may be forced to face another opponent for an interim title before Le returns. Lawler, a former EliteXC middleweight champion, falls to 18-5 following the defeat.

Heavyweight contender Brett Rogers needed just 22-seconds to knockout Andrei Arlovski with a flurry of punches in the Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields co-headliner. Rogers, who improved to 10-0 with the win, will next meet Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem on a future Strikeforce card, while Arlovski’s future is less certain after falling to 15-7 with his second-straight knockout loss.

In other main card action, Nick Diaz overwhelmed Scott Smith with punches over two full rounds before forcing Smith to tap to a rear naked choke in the third and Joe Riggs and Mike Whitehead picked up unanimous decision victories over Phil Baroni and Kevin Randleman respectively.

SEE ALSO: Carano-Cyborg, Thomson-Melendez II Set For August 15 Strikeforce Event

The Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields results were:

• Jake Shields def. Robbie Lawler via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 1. 2:02
• Brett Rogers def. Andrei Arlovski via KO (punches) — Round 1, 0:22
• Nick Diaz def. Scott Smith via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 1:41
• Joe Riggs def. Phil Baroni via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Mike Whitehead def. Kevin Randleman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Jesse Finney def. Josh Bumgarner via submission (kimura) — Round 1, 1:55
• Mike Kyle def. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:05
• Booker DeRousse def. James Wade via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 4:06
• Tyron Woodley def. Sal Woods via submission (north-south choke) — Round 1, 4:20
• Lucas Lopes def. Scott Ventimiglia via DQ (illegal knee) — Round 1, 3:26
• Pat Benson def. Dave Cochran via submission (triangle choke) — Round 1, 2:18

[Pictured: Jake Shields]

The event’s preliminary card is scheduled to begin at 7:45pm ET with the main, Showtime-televised card, headlined by a catchweight showdown between Robbie Lawler and Jake Shields, commencing at 10pm ET.

Stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com all night for live results, plus stop by after the fights for extensive post-fight coverage.

STRIKEFORCE: LAWLER VS. SHIELDS RESULTS

• Jake Shields def. Robbie Lawler via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 1. 2:02
• Brett Rogers def. Andrei Arlovski via KO (punches) — Round 1, 0:22
• Nick Diaz def. Scott Smith via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 1:41
• Joe Riggs def. Phil Baroni via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Mike Whitehead def. Kevin Randleman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Jesse Finney def. Josh Bumgarner via submission (kimura) — Round 1, 1:55
• Mike Kyle def. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:05
• Booker DeRousse def. James Wade via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 4:06
• Tyron Woodley def. Sal Woods via submission (north-south choke) — Round 1, 4:20
• Lucas Lopes def. Scott Ventimiglia via DQ (illegal knee) — Round 1, 3:26
• Pat Benson def. Dave Cochran via submission (triangle choke) — Round 1, 2:18

[Pictured: Robbie Lawler and Jake Shields]

The official Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields weigh-in results were:

MAIN CARD

• Robbie Lawler (182.75) vs. Jake Shields (181.75)
• Andrei Arlovski (244) vs. Brett Rogers (262)
• Nick Diaz (179) vs. Scott Smith (179.5)
• Phil Baroni (168.75) vs. Joe Riggs (170)
• Kevin Randleman (204) vs. Mike Whitehead (206)

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Josh Bumgarner (173.5) vs. Jesse Finney (175.75)
• Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (205.5) vs. Mike Kyle (202.5)
• Booker DeRousse (204.25) vs. James Wade (205.25)
• Tyron Woodley (170.5) vs. Sal Woods (169.25)
• Lucas Lopes (186) vs. Scott Ventimiglia (185)
• Dave Cochran (153) vs. Pat Benson (155.75)

PHOTO GALLERY

Arlovski (15-6), a former UFC heavyweight champion, had won five-straight bouts, including victories over Ben Rothwell and Roy Nelson, before suffering a first-round knockout loss to top-ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko in January at Affliction: Day of Reckoning.

Rogers (9-0), a top-contender in EliteXC prior to the promotion’s 2008 collapse and now one of Strikeforce’s top talents, has yet to be defeated in his career, most-recently earning a second-round TKO of Abongo Humphrey at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz.

With the addition of Arlovski-Rogers, the Showtime-broadcast card now features:

• Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Shields
• Nick Diaz vs. Scott Smith
• Kevin Randleman vs. Mike Whitehead
• Phil Baroni vs. Joe Riggs
• Andrei Arlovski vs. Brett Rogers

For the latest Strikeforce rumors and complete MMA fight cards check out the MMAFrenzy.com rumors section.

[Pictured: Andrei Arlovski]

Jon Fitch

• Gray Maynard says he’d like to fight Diego Sanchez, Clay Guida, or Sean Sherk next. [MMA Junkie]
• Takanori Gomi will return to Shooto for the first time in almost six years to fight 154-pound champion Takashi Nakakura on May 10th at JCB Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
• Tito Ortiz says he’ll pass on Affliction, instead attempting to sign with Strikeforce. [Youtube]
• Former EliteXC lightweight champion KJ Noons suffered a unanimous decision loss over the weekend in his return to boxing. [MMA Junkie]
• Former EliteXC middleweight title-holder Murilo “Ninja” Rua has signed with DREAM and will make his debut for the promotion at DREAM 8 on April 5th in Japan. [Gracie Mag]
• Former NFL player and heavyweight prospect Rex Richards (8-1) will tryout for the tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter. [MMA Junkie]
• Andrei Arlovski’s boxing debut has been postponed until May. [Sherdog]
• Gina Carano says her anticipated bout against Cris “Cyborg” Santos is likely to take place before the end of 2009. [MMA Weekly]
• Former WEC fighters Johny Hendricks and Danillo Villefort will be transferred to the UFC’s welterweight division. [Five Ounces of Pain and MMA Junkie]
• Bellator has announced the complete lineup for its April 3rd debut. [MMA Junkie]
• Kendall Grove is likely to fight at UFC 101 on August 8th in Philadelphia. [Five Ounces of Pain]
• Bellator’s third event will take place on April 17th in Norman, Oklahoma and will feature the first round of the promotion’s middleweight tournament, which includes notable Hector Lombard, with Brandon Vera’s wife Kerry Vera also slated to be in action in a non-tournament bout. [MMA Junkie]
• Jon Fitch has signed a five-fight contract extension with the UFC. [MMA Mania]
• Wilson Reis vs. Henry Martinez will headline Bellator’s second event on April 10th at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. [MMA Junkie]
• Ultimate Fighter cast members Jon “War Machine” Koppenhaver and Joe Scarola will fight for the welterweight and lightweight titles respectively at MMA Big Show’s June 10th “Conviction” event at the Belterra Casino in Belterra, Indiana.
• Alexandre “Xande” Ribeiro vs. Keiichiro Yamamiya and Makoto Takimoto vs. Michael Costa have been added to the official lineup for Sengoku Eighth Battle on May 2nd in Tokyo.
• New Jersey has refused to sanction a planned boxing bout between former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia and former boxing champion Ray Mercer, which was to headline Adrenaline MMA’s third show on May 30th in Atlantic City. This bout is now tentatively scheduled to take place in June at a location to-be-announced. [MMA Weekly]
• The Ultimate Fighter 7 teammates Matt Riddle and Dan Cramer are likely to square off at UFC 101. [Five Ounces of Pain]
• Welterweight bouts featuring Josh Koscheck against Chris Wilson at UFC 98 and Paul Taylor versus Peter Sobotta at UFC 99 have been officially announced.

Andrei Arlovski

Former UFC heavyweight champion and recent WAMMA heavyweight title challenger Andrei Arlovski will make his professional boxing debut on April 11th on the undercard of Paul Williams vs. Winky Wright in Las Vegas.

Ring Talk reported the news on Monday and added that this will not be Arlovski’s only foray into the sport, with famed coach and Arlovski trainer Freddie Roach planning on having the “Pitbull” fight “half a dozen fights and then have him challenge somebody of note”.

Arlovski, who will meet an opponent to be announced in the April bout, challenged top heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko for the WAMMA belt in January at Affliction: Day of Reckoning. Despite early success, a missed flying knee allowed Emelianenko to connect with an overhand right that sent the challenger crashing to the canvas, immediately halting the matchup.

Fedor Emelianenko

Speaking to SI.com, famed boxing trainer Freddie Roach, who is currently working with Andrei Arlovski, commented on Fedor Emelianenko’s striking prowess, which is apparently none too impressive:

“He’s flat-footed, has no technique, but he can punch…That always helps. He’s accurate. He’ll follow you right to the floor, so he’s aggressive. But that aggressiveness can be used to our advantage, I think.”

I find it difficult to disagree with Freddie’s statement because, well, it’s true…for the most part. Despite all of his accomplishments, Fedor is yet another MMA fighter whose boxing is unorthodox and a bit looping. It is no secret that Emelianenko counts on power shots as opposed to carefully packaged combinations. But the fact remains that Fedor’s “slack” stand up has yet to make even the slightest dent in his domination of the MMA universe, despite not having the picture perfect jab-cross. Furthermore Feddie Roach, in all of his infinite wisdom, is simply incorrect in stating that Fedor has “no technique” whatsoever. Emelianenko does have a technique, it is just more tailored to mixed martial arts and not traditional boxing. And that technique works.

The obvious question is will that technique continue to work against the more polished striker in Andrei Arlovski? I have to say that it will. Picking this contest a bit early, I can’t foresee Emelianenko getting into an insurmountable amount of trouble standing with “The Pitbull”, as Fedor has always found a route to victory in similar situations in the past. Given, Arlovski is a very strong and unique fighter, but Fedor has dispatched world class strikers before and I don’t see how Arlovski stands any better chance than Mark Hunt, Mirko Cro Cop or Semmy Schilt did. You can say that the fighters I mentioned were lousy on the ground but that is moot given that no one, let alone Arlovski, can match Fedor once things get down to the canvas.

If Fedor really starts drowning on his feet he will seek a takedown which Arlovski will only be able to defend for so long. From there, its just a matter of time before Fedor submits or rides out a decision over the former UFC champion.

[via Bloody Elbow]