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Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012

WSOF Media Call: Andrei Arlovski Says “I’m Still Young…I Want to be a Champion Again”

Andrei Arlovski faces Devin Cole in a featured heavyweight bout at the first World Series of Fighting event on Nov. 3.

By FCF Staff

The debut event for World Series of Fighting will take place in less than two weeks on November 3rd, and in preparation for the card, the promotion held a teleconference today featuring several main card fighters.

The event will be hosted by the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network

On the line were main event competitors Andrei Arlovski and Devin Cole, as well as light-heavyweight opponents DJ Linderman and Anthony Johnson. WSOF President and accomplished kickboxer Ray Sefo was also on the call.

Here were some of the highlights.

-Andrei Arlovski said he’s not sure if he’s fighting Jeff Monson in January or February at a Royal FC event in Brazil. According to a recent report from Brazilian MMA journalist Anna Hissa, Arlovski and Monson have verbally agreed to the bout.

-Arlovski said he wants to stay busy and fight four or five times a year, and that his more recent inactivity was due to personal problems that are behind him.

-Cole relayed he feels he’s the best he’s ever been and cited the benefits of training at American Top Team.

-Sefo said they’re already discussing a second WSOF show, possibly for the end of January, but they’ll consult with NBC Sports after the November 3rd card.

-Arlovski said “I’m still young; I still have energy and I want to be a champion again.”

-The former UFC champ added that Cole is a “great wrestler” before stating “everyone like’s chaos so I will try to knock him out.” Arlovski also relayed that he’s sure Cole is ready to strike with him, just as he’s ready to wrestle with the American heavyweight.

-Cole said “I’m ready for all aspects” and “wherever it goes” while discussing his wrestling abilities and evolution as a fighter.

-Johnson relayed that his coaches and management told him to consider the pros and cons of signing a long term, exclusive deal with WSOF. The UFC vet added that one of the reasons he choose WSOF is because it’s run by fighters, like Sefo, and that “they know what I’ve been through” as a result.

-Sefo added that ticket sales “are going great” and that he expects a sell-out at the 7,000 seat venue

-Johnson said he doesn’t “kick myself” over the weigh cutting issues he had in the past, saying it was a learning process, and that he’s much happier and comfortable fighting at light-heavyweight.

-Johnson relayed that it’s “been great” training with Blackzilian teammates “JZ” Cavalcante, Fabio Mello and Tyrone Spong, who are all competing on the November 3rd WSOF.

-Linderman says he feels “confident”; he’s injury free, and at the top of his game for his bout with Johnson. The vet also promised he plans to be aggressive in the main card fight.

-Linderman added that he believes Johnson will be more dangerous on his feet, but that he has what it takes to stop Johnson’s striking.

-Johnson added that “everyone says that” when asked to respond to Linderman’s comments, but acknowledged that Linderman has a great camp to help him prepare.

-Sefo said that they would like to promote 8-10 WSOF events a year, but that “you have to crawl before you walk” and that they’ll know more after this event.

-Sefo also added that they plan to stay in Vegas for the first few events, but reported that other states, like New Jersey, have expressed an interested in hosting WSOF events.

Here is the entire line-up for the upcoming November 3rd event.

Andrei Arlovski vs. Devin Cole

Anthony Johnson vs. D.J. Linderman

Marlon Moraes vs. Miguel Torres

Gregor Gracie vs. Tyson Steele

Travis Bartlett vs. Tyrone Spong

Brian Cobb vs. Ronys Torres

Josh Burkman vs. Gerald Harris

Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante vs. T.J. O’Brien

Dave Branch vs. Dustin Jacoby

Waylon Lowe vs. Fabio Mello

Ramico Blackmon vs. Steve Carl

 

posted by FCF Staff @ 3:18 pm
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