January’s UFC on FOX 23 fight card is coming together quickly, drawing a heavyweight throwdown between former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski and rising contender Francis Ngannou.
UFC officials announced the heavyweight match-up on Wednesday in conjunction with the announcement of Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone vs. Jorge Masvidal for the same card. UFC on FOX 23 takes place on Jan. 28 at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
Arlovski (25-13, 1 NC) has been fighting in the Octagon, on and off, since UFC 28 on Nov. 17, 2000. More than 16 years and a stint as heavyweight champion later and Arlovski is still competing at the highest level.
Though he’s barely clinging onto a Top 10 ranking, Arlovski could put himself back on track by stopping the red-hot Ngannou.
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Born in Cameroon, but fighting out of France, Ngannou (9-1) has ripped through his UFC competition. In his four trips to the Octagon, Ngannou has knocked out three of his opponents and submitted the other. In fact, he’s finished his opponent in all nine of his professional victories. The only time he went to a decision was in losing his second fight in the pro ranks.
Defeating Arlovski would surely launch Ngannou into the upper echelon of the heavyweight division.
