Andrei Arlovski has arrived at BKFC.
The BKFC’s first-ever event in Texas took place on Saturday in Fort Worth, with a stacked card of top prospects and UFC veterans.
The main event saw England’s Ben Bonner take the throne against Tony Soto on 8 days’ notice and earlier in the night, former UFC title challenger Jessica Eye defeated fellow UFC veteran Mariya Agapova in a comeback fight for her first win in six years.
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski was one-half of the co-headliner as he took on Josh Copeland in his promotional debut, which he won by fourth-round TKO via doctor’s stoppage, leaving his opponent a bloody mess.
That’s back-to-back wins for Arlovski since his UFC release in 2023 and the former champion is on the verge of another world title with the debut victory.
BKFC Champion Ben Rothwell steps into ring with Andrei Arlovski following win
Among the stars in attendance at BKFC Texas was heavyweight champion and former UFC contender Ben Rothwell.
Rothwell won the BKFC heavyweight title in January with a first-round knockout of champ Mick Terrill at KnuckleMania.
Rothwell, 43, entered the ring and faced off with his former UFC foe Arlovski following the co-main event, setting up a great heavyweight title fight in the future.
The two rivals exchanged words in the Squared Circle.
“If you fight me like that, I’m gonna end your career,” Rothwell told Arlovski post-fight.
Arlovski responded, saying he needs one more BKFC fight under his belt before he fights Rothwell for the title.
“Be like Nike, just do it,” Arlovski called out Rothwell for a trilogy bout.
Andrei Arlovski has two MMA wins over Ben Rothwell
Arlovski and Rothwell have years of history inside and outside of the UFC Octagon.
Arlovski first fought Rothwell in 2009 at Affliction 1 in between UFC stints. Rothwell was TKO’ed by punches just over a minute into the opening round.
Rothwell rematched Arlovski in 2019 and while he was able to put on a much better fight, ‘Big’ Ben ultimately lost via unanimous decision after going three rounds with the former heavyweight champion.
Rothwell will look to avenge those losses in a potential BKFC trilogy bout with the 46-year-old Arlovski.