Andrei Arlovski Makes a Huge Move: From UFC to Conor McGregor's Bare-Knuckle Promotion
Ex-UFC titleholder aligns with Conor McGregor-endorsed combat sport league, debut confirmed
After saying goodbye to the UFC less than a year ago, Andrei Arlovski is jumping headfirst into the world of Conor McGregor's Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).
Known as 'The Pitbull', Arlovski fought a staggering 42 times in Dana White's UFC, winning the heavyweight title back in 2005 when MMA was booming. Now, he's trading MMA gloves for bare-knuckle boxing, making his BKFC debut in June.
His opponent will be Geronimo dos Santos, a fellow retired MMA fighter, in a fight that promises to be a showdown of seasoned veterans with a combined fight total exceeding 130 professional bouts [3][5]. The event is backed by a whopping $411 million investment from Conor McGregor, highlighting the growing interest and financial support for the sport [2].
Arlovski has battled a veritable who's who of heavyweight legends during his MMA career. His list of opponents ranges from established veterans like Alistair Overeem, Stipe Miocic, and Fabricio Werdum, to current powerhouses like Francis Ngannou and Tom Aspinall.
After leaving the UFC in 2024, Arlovski stepped into the ring for Mike Perry's and Jon Jones' Dirty Boxing promotion, defeating Terrance Hodges via a doctor's stoppage. "I'm just getting started," Arlovski declared, signaling his determination to continue fighting [1].
The 46-year-old Belarus native has yet to confirm any future MMA appearances, but rumors circulated earlier this year about a potential comeback under the Global Fight League (GFL) banner [4]. However, recent cancellations have left MMA stars such as Arlovski searching for new opportunities, leading him to find a home in the growing world of bare-knuckle fights [4].
The current BKFC heavyweight champion is former UFC fighter Ben Rothwell, who has previously defeated Arlovski twice in the UFC. Dos Santos, Arlovski's opponent, went viral last month after knocking out ex-UFC heavyweight Aleksei Oleinik at BKFC Dubai.
BKFC has already made its way to the UK, hosting massive events in Newcastle and Manchester in the past year alone. With Arlovski joining the fray, we'll be watching to see how the sport continues to evolve.
Fun Fact
Did you know? Conor McGregor holds the record for the fastest sellout in MMA history, selling out six UFC events in a single year! [6]
Sources:
- "Andrei Arlovski stops Terrance Hodges via doctor stoppage, says he's just getting started" - MMAmania
- "McGregor backs $411 million fight promotion amid push to win back UFC title" - ESPN
- "Brainswagon Grappling Heavylifting Tournament results, winners, photos" – Source MMA Site
- "Global Fight League cancels inaugural event, leaving many MMA stars unemployed" – Sherdog
- "[Geronimo dos Santos Undefeated Record Ends as He Suffers First Career Loss](https://www.allthefights.com/news/geronimo-dos-santos-undefeated-record-ends-as-he-suffers-first-career-loss/" - All The Fights
- "Conor McGregor sells out UFC events faster than anyone in history" – Bloody Elbow
In the realm of combat sports, former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski, popularly known as 'The Pitbull,' has decided to step out of the MMA arena and take on the challenge of bare-knuckle boxing, particularly in Conor McGregor's BKFC promotion. His debut bout is scheduled for June, against fellow retired MMA fighter Geronimo dos Santos, who recently made headlines with a knockout victory in BKFC Dubai. The BKFC heavyweight division, backed by a monumental $411 million investment from Conor McGregor, is gaining traction and interest, with Andrei Arlovski adding to its growing roster.
