Jake O'Brien (10-0-0) vs. Andrei Arlovski (13-5-0)
Andrei “Pitbull” Arlovski returns to the Octagon Saturday night when he takes on Jake”Irish” O’Brien in a Heavyweight battle that’s sure not to disappoint. Arlovski coming of a win, in UFC 70, where he went three rounds with Fabricio Werdum, ended up winning by Unanimous Decision. It was an uneventful fight that Arlovski later apologized for. He’s a dangerous fighter with excellent striking capabilities whose majority of fights end in Knockout, TKO or Stoppage by the Ref. He’s got superb grappling skills but rarely gets to use them because he likes to stand up and pound it out.
This will be Arlovski’s last fight in the UFC due to his contract expiring. He has opted to look elsewhere to fight, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Since he has not resigned a new contract, UFC President, Dana White will not be airing his fight. He is not happy with the money the UFC winners receive and he might give HDnet Fight or ExciteXC a try. But if he does stay he may end up with a Heavyweight Titls shot. After his back to back loses to Tim Sylvia his chances of winning the Heavyweight title was all but over. But now that Sylvia lost it to Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, Arlovski has a whole new reason to win. Bodog.com is leaning towards Andrei Arlovski as -350 odds to beat Jake O’Brien who's listed as +250 underdog.
His opponent Jake O’Brien is an aggressive fighter with excellent wrestling skills, and ground n pound skills. His last fight was against Heath Herring, in UFC Fight Night Rashad Evans vs Sean Salmon, in which he won by Unanimous Decision. His last two fights have gone all three rounds so you know he can go the distance. He’s got three wins in UFC and five others in other MMA leagues.
Bottom Line: Arlovski will want to keep this fight off the mat and standing up. O’Brien will try to utilize his wrestling skills and shoot for Arlovski, but watch out. One little slip up and Arlovski’s got you Knocked Out cold. Get your UFC 82 Pick in now!
