Exclusive: Andrei Arlovski Talks Kyle Fight, Injured Jaw and the Future

By bjpenndotcom - September 15, 2013

After his victory over both Mike Kyle and early adversity, Andrei Arlovski showed fans that he could not only take a punch, but he can come back and outwork an in-shape power puncher. Arlovski out-boxed Mike Kyle in the main event of there World Series of Fighting 5 main event bout.

After his bout with Kyle, I caught up with Arlovski for a quick word before he retreated to the dressing room to enjoy his victory with his camp.

Adam Conklin: I’ve never seen you come in out of shape for a fight, but coming in as a late replacement, is there anything that you wish you had more time to do in your training?

Andrei Arlovski: Oh definitely, more time is sometimes better, and after my jaw surgery I was out for 8 weeks and six weeks I started to do some conditioning and after 10 weeks I started a full sparring camp. I’m sure it wasn’t enough time and like I mentioned before, I have a lot to work on at the gym. I’m happy I’m still young and I have a lot of time and a lot of energy and this is most important to me.

AC: Did any strikes that you received tonight bring up pain from your jaw injury/surgery from back in March after the WSOF 2 main event against Anthony Johnson?

AA: No, the surgery [was] fine. My biggest test was when I sparred with Jon Jones. He landed a good left hand and a high left kick right on my jaw. Actually, Mike Kyle landed some good right hands too.

AC: Were you surprised Mike Kyle didn’t go for more takedowns after you used your jab so effectively?

AA: Back a few years ago I train[ed] with Mike Kyle on old team at AKA. I thought he might look for some takedowns, but yeah, I was prepared for this. But after like, the middle of [the] second round, he tried to do something like a single, against the cage, but I was confident.

AC: Do you feel like you executed everything in your gameplan that you set up with Greg Jackson?

AA: (Laughs), No, again, this my problem I didn’t follow 100% and actually my cornermen yelled something during the fight. I’m happy, you know.

AC: Now you’re looking for a rematch with Anthony Johnson?

AA: I would love to.

There is no official word on whether or not the 34-year-old Belorussian will be granted a rematch of a fight that snapped a 4 (5 if you count NC over Sylvia) win streak, against Anthony Johnson, or if the World Series of Fighting will hold a tournament to crown the first heavyweight champion. All Arlovski seems to know is that no matter what, he is ready for it.

Arlovski Interview Audio

For the latest MMA news visit BJPENN.com


Topics:

Exclusive MMA Interviews World Series Of Fighting