UFC 28: High Stakes Preview

Andrei Orlovski vs Aaron Brink (Heavyweight)

In the Heavyweight division we have Sambo and Kickboxing stylist Andrei Orlovski against a fighter who can revive the moniker "Huntington Beach Bad Boy" in the form of Aaron Brink. Beginning with Orlovski, he trains with UFC 13 paticipant Dmitry Stepanov (who was in the same tournament where Randy Couture won his first UFC title) and has a MMA record of 4-1. Interesting to note, Andrei holds the rank of International Master of Sport, a title some fans may remember hearing during the Russian Absolute Fighting Championships from a few years ago. Based in Russia, quite a few participants in the AFC held this honor. Orlovski has competed in the European free fighting/mixed fighting events that helped advance the careers of Pride and RINGS fighters Bob Schrijber, Valentine Overeem and Dutch powerhouse Gilbert Yvel.

Aaron Brink brings a strong wrestling and submission fighting background and a 7-1 record to the cage with him Friday night. He trains with UFC and Extreme Fighting competitor John Lober(who beat Frank Shamrock in Frank's NHB debut in Superbrawl but lost the UFC rematch) and grew up with current UFC Middleweight Champion Tito Ortiz. Having cut his teeth in the West Coast NHB Championships, the IFC and RINGS, Brink ready to enter the most recognizable cage on Earth.

MY PICK: Even though Orlovski appears to be well rounded and has experience in the somewhat more brutal European NHB circuit, you can't discount the team preparing Brink for his Octagon debut. Imagine a 240lbs version of Tito or Lober? In my opinion Orlovski will have the advantage on the ground so if it goes there, it's a toss up but I think Brink will end it on the feet via referee stoppage or knockout.