Andrei Arlovski eying late December return
by Jason Benfari on November 09, 2009

Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski may be returning to the cage this before the end of the year. Arlovski's management has confirmed that the popular Belorussian fighter is in talks with both Strikeforce and Sengoku about the possibility of competing on either of their year end fight cards.

Apparently, the noted heavyweight striker was offered a number of opponents to compete against at last Saturday's Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers, but turned down potential matchups with with Mike Whitehead, Sokoudjou.html'>Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Antonio Silva.

Arlovski's camp is now weighing options from both sides of the pacific and training in anticipation of competing at Strikeforce: Evolution on Dec. 19 or with Japanese promotion Sengoku at Dynamite!! 2009 on New Year's Eve. 

Potential opponents for either event have yet to be revealed.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker recently hinted that the promotion was set to announce the signing of two big name heavyweights. FiveKnuckles.com exclusively revealed last month that Bobby Lashely is putting the finishing touches on his contract with the promotion and is likely one of those heavyweights. Arlovski could be the other, though fellow former UFC champion Tim Sylvia is also rumoured to be in talks with the promotion.

 |  (9) Comments Cobra_Kai: strikeforce is really starting to get some good names. I hope they dont fold. alexbond: Arlovski vs. Big Foot would be good. Giada Esposito: Very good news for Strikeforce if they can sign Arlovski. I'd like to see him fight Big Foot as well, or a rematch with Rogers. Strikeforce really seems to be taking the momentum away from the UFC with their new fighter signings, and all the injuries and questions about title defenses in the UFC, plus a really bad season of TUF haven't helped the UFC either. Wandering_Minstrel: Lets just hope that Arlovski finally got his head out of his butt and starts using all the tools. Hope he sticks with Jackson. IwishIwasMMA: I would actually like to see AA vs. Werdum. Its a good match up all around, and Fedor should only be fighting Overeem in strikeforce next. Otherwise Strikeforce cannot unite their two titles (WAMMA and HW champ).
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