Is there any hope for Andrei Arlovski?

[Kyojiro Kagenuma]

So, Andrei Arlovski says he wants to keep fighting another four or five years. I'm a big fan, but I don't think that's a good idea, neither for his health or his legacy. He has said that he doesn't give a shit about his win-loss record, which already isn't exactly the greatest, and I suppose it never was. Lately, he hasn't been fighting like he has in the past, he's playing it safe. He says he still wants to get a title, but he'll never get there doing what he's doing now, but on the other hand, I don't want to see him get knocked the fuck out either. He's 40 years old and there's few fighters who have taken as much punishment as he has.

I'm hoping in his upcoming fight he could show us some life, but I think the best thing for him is to retire. Guy doesn't have anything left to prove, he's already a legend, and he's not exactly starving for cash either. Not many people can say they've been fighting for 20 years and still at such a high level. His career started in 1999, and he's still here. That's pretty insane. Unless he wins his next three or four fights or however many he has left, I doubt the UFC would want to keep him around. I do think he might have one more comeback left in him, but frankly, I'm not sure it's worth it. He's certainly crazy enough to try it. He doesn't need the money. Thing is, I think he's been doing this so long that he just can't imagine doing anything else. Right now he's a shadow of himself, losing decisions to nobodys, and if the same thing happens with Augusto Sakai it's gonna start getting unbearable.

I guess we'll see what happens on the 27th . . .

 

[Zebra Cheeks]

it gets to a point with some of these guys where they've been doing it so long, and they're long past that "avoiding the CTE" thing. Shogun, Arlovski and some others. At this point I just kind of accept that they are going to do it on their own terms, and eventually at some point they'll retire. I don't really think its about the fans or the legacy. Its just about doing what they love. And for being pioneers of the sport, I'm ok with them going out the way that they would like to.

 

[Klaavical]

Arlovski's best days were 10 years ago

 

[SpedDaddyV]

Wow really long thread for no reason

I could have given you a “no” answer without the need for Arlovski’s life story

He is too old and weathered

Can Michael Strahan make a comeback in the NFL??

 

[Kyojiro Kagenuma]

Wow really long thread for no reason

I could have given you a “no” answer without the need for Arlovski’s life story

He is too old and weathered

I'm a wordy person. I like explaining myself.

 

[blaseblah]

He's still capable of beating bottom barrell UFC heavyweights in boring decisions but I'm not particularly interested in watching.

 

[Rockapotomuss]

Yes he can. He is sharp and capable of beating anyone.

 

[Sapp]

I'm a huge fan of Andrei and I've been happy to see that he hasn't been taking all that much damage recently. I don't think he'll still be in the UFC in four to five years time, I'd imagine he'll retire when the UFC says enough.

 

[Kyojiro Kagenuma]

Wow really long thread for no reason

I could have given you a “no” answer without the need for Arlovski’s life story

He is too old and weathered

Can Michael Strahan make a comeback in the NFL??

Hell if I know. I hate football.

 

[tasticles]

it gets to a point with some of these guys where they've been doing it so long, and their long past that "avoiding the CTE" thing. Shogun, Arlovski and some others. At this point I just kind of accept that they are going to do it on their own terms, and eventually at some point they'll retire. I don't really think its about the fans or the legacy. Its just about doing what they love. And for being pioneers of the sport, I'm ok with them going out the way that they would like to.

I don't think its easy for these kids to understand that if you've been doing something you love for almost 20 years and suddenly someone says, hey you should quit old man, it's not going to change your mind easily. Maybe if you're taking a flogging every time (Ken Shamrock) but most of these guys are still competitive.

 

[Kyojiro Kagenuma]

Arlovski's best days were 10 years ago

I'm aware of this. You could have said the same thing about Couture when he beat up Tim Sylvia

 

[PicoPulse]

Idk how he came back at all literally breathing his direction was flooring him

 

[Kyojiro Kagenuma]

it gets to a point with some of these guys where they've been doing it so long, and their long past that "avoiding the CTE" thing. Shogun, Arlovski and some others. At this point I just kind of accept that they are going to do it on their own terms, and eventually at some point they'll retire. I don't really think its about the fans or the legacy. Its just about doing what they love. And for being pioneers of the sport, I'm ok with them going out the way that they would like to.

I can certainly respect that.

 

[true_fan]

He can be the best if he implants a steel chin

 

[GearSolidMetal]

Arlovski's best days were 10 years ago

10 years ago, he just got KTFOed by Fedor and was about to get KTFOed again by Brett Rogers.

 

[Rorschachxx]

I've been saying for his last 15 fights he should retire. Somehow he puts a winning streak together from time to time. This time around though I think its enough. Just looking at his nose hurts watching.

 

[Zebra Cheeks]

I don't think its easy for these kids to understand that if you've been doing something you love for almost 20 years and suddenly someone says, hey you should quit old man, it's not going to change your mind easily. Maybe if you're taking a flogging every time (Ken Shamrock) but most of these guys are still competitive.

Yeah I mean, I think we've reached a point where many fans have an attitude of "if your not a champ, and you were at some point you should retire". I don't think there's anything wrong with the shoguns and Anderson Silvas of the world that still fill a stadium and enjoy their career. Theres no way they'll ever be champ again, but they can still put on a show and compete with many capable fighters.

 

[Kyojiro Kagenuma]

I don't think its easy for these kids to understand that if you've been doing something you love for almost 20 years and suddenly someone says, hey you should quit old man, it's not going to change your mind easily. Maybe if you're taking a flogging every time (Ken Shamrock) but most of these guys are still competitive.

Or Mark Kerr, or Penn. True, he's not getting smoked.

 

[KeepItRealist]

Arlovski's best days were 10 years ago

If only he had the chin he appears to have now. Never seen a fighter's chin improve over the years except for Arlovski.

 

[Klaavical]

10 years ago, he just got KTFOed by Fedor and was about to get KTFOed again by Brett Rogers.

I guess 15