Andrei Arlovski sees Strikeforce Heavyweight GP as a big opportunity

Former UFC Heavyweight Champion, and MMA veteran Andrei ”Pitbull” Arlovski has spoken out about participating in the upcoming StrikeForce Heavyweight Tournament. The ”Pitbull” sees this as a big opportunity for him to get back to winning ways, and get his career back on track with a bang. 

Speaking via MMAJunkie.com Arlovski said: 

”I think it’s a great opportunity for me. I just need to train and be focused, and don’t do mistakes that I did before. I have to correct my workouts. I don’t think the fights are going to be five rounds. But if it’s going to happen, yeah, I have to fight five rounds, and I will be ready for five rounds, so we’ll see.”

”I’m one point down to Russia, and (Fedor) Emelianenko beat me, so I have to get a victory. It’s going to be Belarus one, Russia one.” 

Arlovski is currently riding out a 3 fight losing streak, and will look to turn that around when he takes on Russian, Pride FC veteran Sergei Kharitonov in a quarter final match-up. All three of Arlovski’s recent losses have come to fighters that are also participating in the tournament, (Fedor, Rodgers and BigFoot) and if Andrei can get a win over Kharitonov he can look to even things up in the latter stages. 

Arlovski is set to fight Kharitonov, on February 12th 2011 in East Rutherford,New Jersey. Fedor Emelianenko vs Antonio ”Big Foot” Silva is also slated for the same night. 

Photo: Strikeforce.com