On January 24, 2009, Affliction held its second and final event titled ‘Day of Reckoning’ where former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski and Pride champion Fedor Emelianenko were scheduled to headline the event. At the time, it was one of the best match-ups available for Fedor outside of the UFC, and was a competitive affair for the first three minutes of the contest. However, just a few short seconds part the three minute mark, Arlovski found himself face-down on the canvas, unconscious.
While, at the time, Arlovski represented nothing more than another notch under Fedor’s belt, it is the Belarusian who has since witnessed a resurgence in his career, while Fedor has settled into retirement. He is now a integral part of the UFC’s heavyweight division, and arguably two fights away from a title shot. Nevertheless, Arlovski remains haunted by the KO loss to ‘The Last Emperor.‘
“My nightmare is f***ing when [Fedor] Emelianenko knocked my ass out in Affliction. You know it’s ridiculous. It was so far back, and four years ago it was the biggest fight of my life and you know I fought like – I don’t know – like I just have bad words. I did what I wasn’t supposed to do and I jumped this flying knee, then I gave him a present.
“I would love it if the UFC would sign him. I want a rematch.”
The KO loss took place just over six years ago, yet the bitter disappointment is still there like a sour taste in his mouth. It was a fight that was within his control, yet his overzealous attack landed him in the highlight reels for years to come.
“First of all because the fight before when I fought Ben Rothwell I jumped with a flying knee and I hurt Ben Rothwell. People went crazy, and you know for some reason I thought I can like do like anything that I want; I can throw elbows, knees, you know. And I jumped with a flying knee when I fought Emelianenko and I didn’t cover myself, you know just lights out. John McCarthy woke me up and I was, that’s it. But the first four minutes I felt that every kick, every punch got the target. I saw he was hurt. I just needed to, at that time I just needed to stick to the game plan [for the] first or second round and I [would’ve] whooped his ass definitely. But it is what it is, fact that he knocked my ass out and I lost that fight.”
Transcription taken from Submission Radio.
About the author
