Arlovski Hoping to Topple “Giant” Sylvia

If you can actually believe it, there is another fight this Saturday night during the UFC 51 event besides Ortiz-Belfort. Sure, the light heavyweight glamour boys have soaked up all of the limelight, but the chief under card bout of the evening could wind up being one of the most talked about fights in quite some time. Forget Ortiz-Belfort, forget Tanner-Terrell and forget New England-Philadelphia. I'm talking about Andrei Arlovski versus Tim Sylvia.

During the last-minute rush that is the final few days before any Ultimate Fighting Championship, all within the Sherdog camp run amuck like headless chickens. Actually, it's not unlike Christmas Eve, when parents bounce around from shop to shop looking for that devilish Tickle Me Rogan doll for those pesky kids. So with that said, I was relieved when I was able to nab Arlovski for an all-too-brief one-on-one.

The interview almost never came to fruition, but thanks in large to Arlovski's manager Nikolay Travkin, the Q&A was pulled off. Travkin also helped translate the Q&A as well. While I usually tend to ask questions for 30 or so minutes, Arlovski's grueling schedule and training routine prevented the usual War and Peace length interview.

Hey Andrei, who all are you sparring with and how grueling was your training regime for this fight?

My present training routine includes: morning running [for] 1 1/2 hours, [during the] day boxing 1 to 1 1/2 hours with Efrain Escudero and Arturo Salas, [and] evening grappling 2 hours with Dino Costeas, six days a week.

Sylvia is a very big guy, probably the biggest man you've faced. You are a great boxer from the outside, but how will you be able to fight Sylvia from a good range? He has pretty deadly knees when in close.

I don't think that Sylvia has deadly knees; I didn't see any KOs from him by knees. I'm ready for boxing with him and to grappling as well.

Are you prepared to bring the fight to the ground if for some reason your boxing skills aren't working as well as planned?

As I said I'm ready for bringing the fight to the ground. Overall I'm not bad in grappling.

What are the biggest weaknesses in Sylvia that you will try and exploit?

I prefer not to say about it at this point. The fight will show it.

You are probably the best all-around boxer in MMA. Why have you never turned to professional boxing?

I like what I'm doing now. I love to fight in the Octagon. And, I look forward for more fights in MMA. Professional boxing? It's not on my preference list at this moment.

Your English is very good, by the way, considering how long you've been trying to learn. What is the most difficult part in learning a new language?

Thanks for your kind words. Yes, there are few difficult parts in learning a new language: such as many different nuances, fear to talk because you think that people will not understand you, small stock of words. But I'm learning more when I talk to people. More practice—this is what I need.

This fight is for the "interim" heavyweight title. Does it mean less to you because it is not for the "real" title?

Not at all. I'm very serious about this fight. Actually it doesn't matter for me if a fight for title or not. I train hard for any fight. Each fight is important for me.

If you win, are you guaranteed to face Frank Mir next?

I believe that this question is for Zuffa. I wish Frank speedy and full recovery. And, if it will be a fight between us, I'll be ready.

Are you planning on being strictly a UFC fighter, or are you willing to fight for PRIDE, K-1, etc?

I like to fight in the UFC, and I don't see any reasons why I should stop doing it. Of, course nobody can predict exactly what future will bring to us.

If you win the title, are you nervous that the UFC may strip you if the belt, considering Zuffa's history with stripping champions?

I'm not sure that I understand your question. I work with the UFC; I have the contract with the UFC, and I don't have plans to break it. I don't plan to be stripped.

Nikolay Travkin: As a co-manager of Andrei I would like to add to his interview that he is in very, very good shape and he cannot wait to step into the octagon for this fight.

I believe that all fans will like this upcoming fight; and Andrei's fans will be very happy with Andrei's performance and the result of the fight.

Andrei is ready to make himself a very special present on his birthday, which is on February 4!