Andrei Arlovski

By Michael Hatamoto

Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski (19-4) wants to one day return to the UFC where he hopes to compete for the championship.

The 34-year-old Belarusian fighter continues to train at the famed Jackson fight camp, which has given him top notch training partners and stellar coaches to help him work on his standup skills.

I don’t know if Arlovski is serious about trying to join the UFC’s ranks again, as he could be trying to get press attention prior to his heavyweight fight against Anthony Johnson.  Even if Arlovski rejoins the UFC, I don’t think he has the ability to come close to competing for the UFC title again.

After suffering four consecutive losses from 2009 to early 2011, it’s great to see Arlovski carrying some momentum into his fight against Johnson at World Series of Fighting 2 next weekend.

Despite going 4-0-1 in his last five fights – and he did look good against Mike Hayes and Devin Cole – trying to fight the likes of Junior Dos Santos, Alistair Overeem, or Cain Velasquez would likely end one way: Arlovski face down on the canvas after being blasted.

Then again, the UFC’s heavyweight division needs a bit more depth, and adding Arlovski could create some interesting matchups.  The former champion said he would like to fight until he’s 40 years old, so there is plenty of time for him to earn his way back into the No. 1 MMA promotion in the years to come.