One of the top heavyweights in MMA is still looking to show off his skills at the age of 41. Andrei Arlovski may also be trying to spice things up by challenging a hero of his in Mike Tyson.
Recently, Tyson (50-6, 2NC) announced his return to boxing for exhibition bouts. Appearing in great shape, Tyson has been offered to fight several athletes. Boxing promotions like Matchroom may not be giving him a call, but Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship has offered him $20 million to join the organization.
Arlovski (29-19, 2NC), who has one boxing fight to his name, told sports.ru he is interested in taking on Tyson, under the most unique circumstances.
“Tyson is a legend,” Arlovski stated, via RT. “His poster hung in my room. I’m not ready for a full fight by the rules of boxing against him. If one round is boxing and one round is MMA, then it is possible.”
Starting his MMA career in1999, Arlovski joined the UFC in 2000. He won the UFC Heavyweight Championship after defeating Tim Sylvia at UFC 51 in 2005. Between two UFC stints he fought for Strikeforce and World Series of Fighting.
Returning to the UFC in 2014 for the first time since 2008, Arlovski has gone back and forth when it comes to wins and losses. “The Pitbull” just recently beat Philipe Lins on May 13 via unanimous decision. He is hoping to return to title contention soon. A fight with Tyson, would not have been his first attempt at fighting a boxing legend. At one point in 2009, it appeared as if he was going to face then-IBF, WBO, and IBO Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko.
“There was an idea to hold ten fights and then fight with Klitschko,” Arlovski went on to say. “Then I had health problems. We paused the idea, but if there is any specific proposal, I will consider it.”
Arlovski pointed to a quick loss at the hands of Fedor Emelianenko during that time as another reason for the fight being scrapped.
As far as where a fight would take place, it would most likely not be promoted by the UFC. Dana White recently stated he was against Tyson returning, stating concerns for his safety.
“Bottom line is I don’t want Mike to fight,” White stated. “If it comes down to where he is about to do something crazy, I might have to jump in and figure out something for him not to do it.”