The UFC has finalized a matchup in their heavyweight division for next month’s PPV. MMA Junkie was the first outlet to report this afternoon that the promotion had finalized a heavyweight matchup between former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski (32-20) and Jared Vanderaa (12-6).
The matchup will take place at UFC 271 on February 12th. This is a really big opportunity for Jared Vanderaa. Vanderaa enters this contest having gone just 1-2 so far in three UFC appearances. He earned a spot with the promotion after scoring a first round knockout on the contender series.
Vanderaa jumped right in there with a top heavyweight when he fought Sergey Spivak. He was stopped in the second round in that fight. then he got a fight against the tough Justin Tafa and won a decision. He’s currently coming off of a loss to Alexander Romanov by decision back in October.
Getting a shot against a former UFC champion is a big deal regardless of that champion’s current status. This is a big fight for Vanderaa with big implications. If he can win, he’s back on track with a former champion under his belt. However, if he loses, he might be looking at the UFC letting him go.
Former UFC champion returns
Andrei Arlovski is getting ready to turn 43 years old yet he has no plans on slowing down. The former heavyweight champion is currently riding a two-fight win streak leading to UFC 271. the last time we saw him was back in October when he defeated Carlos Felipe by decision.
Prior to that, he had a decision win over Chase Sherman. Overall, Arlovski is 5-2 in his last seven UFC fights. The only two losses he’s had have come against Jairzinho Rozenstruik and the top prospect Tom Aspinall. It’s clear that Arlovski has remained competitive in the heavyweight division.
While Arlovski is no longer a championship contender, he has proven to still be serviceable. At UFC 271, he will be making the walk again and he will be looking for his first three-fight win streak since 2015 when he went on a six-fight win streak.