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UFC playing hardball with Arlovski (viewed 211 times)



By Roman Modrowski

Former UFC heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski is in the biggest fight of his career, and he's losing. Arlovski, who fights out of Chicago, is in a war of wills with UFC president Dana White. And as fierce as the 6-4, 240-pound Arlovski has been in the octagon at times, White is the toughest hombre in the UFC. You don't take a nothing organization and build it into a Sports Illustrated cover story without being able to stare down formidable opponents.

Arlovski has one fight left on his UFC contract. White wants to sign him to an extension before scheduling Arlovski's next fight. Arlovski wants to fight first and then negotiate a new contract. If he doesn't sign an extension or fight again, Arlovski's contract expires April 15.

White holds all the cards, but I doubt he'll just let the contract expire. It's bad business. Arlovski remains one of the five most popular fighters in the UFC. Just his appearance in Cincinnati at UFC 77 caused a huge stir in the crowd despite the fact he hasn't fought since April 21.

At the very least, White will want Arlovski to sell pay-per-view units before the contract expires. But in the meantime, Arlovski doesn't have an income. He still trains at JABB gym, and trainers aren't free. He's also losing sponsorship opportunities.

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