(PRESS RELEASE) -- Las Vegas, Nevada – Two of the biggest punchers in the heavyweight division collide at UFC® FIGHT NIGHT BRASILIA this Saturday, and fans around the world can catch the action live and on-demand on UFCFIGHTPASS.com, the UFC’s digital streaming service.
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan believes this rematch of a May 2010 Strikeforce fight (which you can watch now on UFC FIGHT PASS here) will be explosive.
Rogan said: “I can’t imagine this being anything other than the most insane, aggressive fight until it ends. Bigfoot Silva is one of the best heavyweights in the division. If you look at his stoppage victory over Alistair Overeem, it was one of the most devastating finishes we’ve seen in the history of the UFC. That’s what this man can do.
“In Andrei Arlovski, he’s facing a man who, at one time, was the most feared striker in the division. He was just storming through heavyweights, and if Andrei can get back to that form, if he can regain that level of performance, he can make a serious run in the UFC heavyweight division.”
For an embeddable video of Rogan’s breakdown of the main event, click here.
Fight week flash quotes from Brazil.
BIGFOOT ON – FINALLY – FIGHTING IN BRAZIL “I’m so excited, you must understand this is actually my first professional fight in Brazil. I fought once before in Brazil on a small show but that wasn’t as a professional, no-one know who I was, and this time I have the great support of the fans, my friends and family will be there – and it is actually my birthday this week (Sunday, September 14). So I am very excited for this fight, this is almost as big a fight for me as when I fight for the UFC heavyweight belt. Winning this fight means everything to me.”
BIGFOOT ON GOING ONE BETTER THIS TIME “Last time we fought he underestimated me and I won on points, but this time he knows I am (world class) and can beat him. He will have prepared for what I do, but I am a much better fighter than I was four years ago. I fought for the title, I have beaten fighters like Overeem, Fedor and the others. I’m a different guy now.
“He’s an awesome striker, he hits very hard, and I know he’s going to try to knock me out. But he tried that last time, and other people have tried that, too, and he won’t be able to get that done. It won’t work. He needs a plan “B” because he won’t knock me out.
“I don’t want to win on a decision this time, not fighting in Brazil in the main event. The people who come to see me will have something to celebrate with me. I will knock him out or submit him. One round or last round, I will finish him. I’m going to knock him out. I will be looking to knock him out with every strike, that I promise.”
ARLOVSKI ON NEEDING TO IMPRESS “I didn’t fight my best and I am not happy with my performance or the fight (vs Brendan Schaub at UFC 174). I was nervous, too anxious to impress after not fighting in the UFC for so long. Now, I want to remind everyone what I am about (vs Bigfoot) and I will have the chance to do that against (Bigfoot) because he comes to fight.
“I will perform much better this Saturday. It will be an attack, attack, attack fight from both of us. I have trained very hard, worked on many aspects of my game, and I promise my fans and everyone who watches this will be a great fight. The UFC has trusted me by putting me in the main event, and I will (reward that trust). The fans won’t be disappointed, I promise.”
ARLOVSKI ON FIGHTING IN BRAZIL “Oh, the Brazil fans are going to boo and boo me! I know they will boo and chant things at me, I expect that. They can have a good time during the walk-outs and the introductions, booing me then, but I will shut them up in the first round. If there’s one guy cheering for me in the entire building, you will hear him loud, because Bigfoot’s fans will be quiet once the fight starts. They will have nothing to cheer about after the first round.”
ARLOVSKI ON GETTING REVENGE OVER BIGFOOT “We fought four years ago and I lost by decision. I am excited to get the chance at the rematch. I will knock him out, and then I won’t hear about the first fight again. He says he will knock me out. He said that and good luck, because that won’t happen.”
ARLOVSKI ON WHAT HE CAN DO IN THE UFC “I still feel young, I have energy and power. Now I am with Greg Jackson I still feel like I am improving as a fighter and that I can be a (factor) in the UFC heavyweight division. Bigfoot is ranked in the top five, and this is a huge chance for me to prove everything I am talking about. I need to get that knockout, I need that finish and I will go after it in the Octagon.”
UFC FIGHT PASS is available now at UFCFIGHTPASS.com on personal computers, iPad, iPhone, Chromecast, Android, Samsung, LG Smart TV and Roku. Subscriptions are $9.99 month to month, $8.99 per month for six months or $7.99 per month for a one-year subscription.
All bouts live and subject to change. Visit UFC.com for more information.