Arlovski (photo) beat Browne in a very busy fight. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
UFC 187 represented another step in Andrei Arlosvski's career towards his goal of fighting for the heavyweight belt again. The Belarusian, former champion of the category, obtained his third consecutive victory inside the octagon by knocking out Travis Browne in the first round, which made him jump to the top positions in the official Ultimate rankings. However, Arlovski confessed to feeling a bitter side to the victory.
That's because he and Browne are close friends, having trained together for a long time at Jackson's MMA gym, until the Hawaiian's departure. “Of course it's nice to win, but deep down, the feeling is bad. I feel like I'm hitting a mother, a father, a brother. A victory is a victory, of course. I'm happy to have won the money, but I hope this is the first and last time I fight with a friend”, said Arlovski, in an internet chat with his fans.
The former heavyweight champion said he is at such a level in his career that he will never submit to facing a friend again. “Listen, I'm not someone who's 20, 25 years old, who doesn't give a shit about friendship. I'm not someone who only thinks about money. With experience, we have other priorities in life. Friendship, for me, is more important now than being at the top”, he added.
The Belarusian returned to the UFC last year and has had three victories since then, having also defeated Brendan Schaub e Antonio Pezão.
[vox id=”30712″]
