‘Bigfoot’ Predicts A Finish In UFC Fight Night 51 Rematch With Arlovski

UFC heavyweight contenders Antonio Silva and Andrei Arlovski meet for the second time tomorrow night when they square off in the main event of UFC Fight Night 51. The two first fought back in 2010 under the Strikeforce banner where “Bigfoot” handed Arlovski the eighth loss of his professional career. Tomorrow night “The Pitbull” looks to avenge his loss to the Brazilian while Silva says he plans on looking for the finish:

“We fought in 2010 and I won via decision, but a lot of things changed in four years. We both changed a lot,” Silva told MMAFighting.com. “He did some good fights, had some big wins, and returned to the UFC. He’s a former UFC champion and knows how to fight under pressure, so I believe it’s going to be a great fight. I’m really hungry. We’re different fighters today.

I have to be trained and focused because I have to prove myself again when I step inside the Octagon. It’s not a rematch for me. It’s a rematch for Arlovski. For me, it’s like we’re going to fight for the first time. I trained for five rounds and I don’t expect this fight to go that long. I don’t know how this fight is going to end, but I know how I’m going to fight. I’m hungry to win, and I want the finish.”

Since the pair first fought, Silva has gone on to beat the legendary Fedor Emelianenko along with other notable fighters like Alistair Overeem and Travis Browne, and he’s also challenged for the UFC heavyweight title.

Arlovski, on the other hand, has amassed a strong record of 7-2 (1) which includes four wins by way of KO/TKO. Silva acknowledges that the former UFC champion is more dangerous now but he thinks he is as well:

“He’s more dangerous today, but so am I,” he said. “I had many fights since, fought big names that helped me evolve as a fighter. I fought guys like Fedor (Emelianenko), Werdum, Travis Browne, Overeem and Hunt. I’m more mature now, a better fighter.”

“Bigfoot’ pretty much dominated their first encounter with relative ease and he’s been fighting with a lot more confidence in his last few fights. That’s a dangerous thing. But, with him having not competed in nine months due to his suspension for elevated testosterone levels, you have to wonder how rusty he is going to be tomorrow night in his return against Arlovski, who is on a roll at the moment.

Can “Bigfoot” score the finish he’s seeking?