Legendary former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski made a triumphant return to the winner`s circle, with Jon Jones in attendance to witness the victory.
Despite parting ways with the UFC last summer following a series of defeats, the 46-year-old Arlovski continued training and made his comeback to combat sports on Saturday night in Miami, competing for the GFL.
Arlovski faced Terrance Hodges in a co-main event bout at Jon Jones` Dirty Boxing Championship, putting on a dominant display. The fight was stopped by doctors after two rounds due to a significant cut on Hodges` face, marking Arlovski`s first win since 2022.
Doctor Stoppage Victory for Andrei Arlovski in Dirty Boxing Debut
The Hangar in Miami hosted a night of heavyweight action, highlighted by Andrei Arlovski`s resurgence. His victory marked his first since departing the UFC and served as the co-main event for Jon Jones` inaugural Dirty Boxing Championship event.
Arlovski demonstrated his superior skill against Hodges, proving his class even in his late 40s. He controlled the first round and inflicted a severe cut on his opponent`s forehead in the second.
The former UFC champion appeared well-suited to the Dirty Boxing Championship`s hybrid rules, effectively utilizing both punches and elbows. Ultimately, the fight was halted by doctors due to the severity of Hodges` bleeding.
DBX 1 Event Delivers Exciting Finishes
The Dirty Boxing Championship prelims began around the time UFC London concluded, drawing comparisons between the two events. In contrast to UFC London`s lack of knockouts, DBX 1 delivered a series of decisive finishes, providing combat sports fans with the excitement they craved.
Almost every fight at the Dirty Boxing Championships ended in a stoppage, including Yoel Romero`s main event victory over a larger opponent. Fighters competed for bonus payouts of $10,000 for Knockout of the Night and a split of $20,000 for Fight of the Night, contributing to the high-action atmosphere. The event, while sometimes unconventional, provided an entertaining night of fights with numerous knockouts.
