Arlovski Versus Rothwell in Dallas Likely

Fighters.com has received confirmation from a reliable source that a fight between Fighters.com’s sixth ranked heavyweight “Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski (12-5) and former IFL star Ben Rothwell (29-5) is on the table for 19 July in Dallas.

The match-up would be on the same Affliction-promoted card that could be headlined by a match-up between Fighters.com’s third- and fifth-ranked heavyweights “Maine-iac” Tim Sylvia (24-4) and “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (27-1).  That fight is still being negotiated.

Arlovski’s management has not responded to Fighters.com’s request for comment.  The former UFC Heavyweight Champion is coming off an untelevised second-round TKO over “Irish” Jake O’Brien (10-1) in March, concluding his contractual obligation to the UFC.

Rothwell concluded his obligation to the IFL last September with a unanimous decision over former UFC Heavyweight Champion “Suave” Ricco Rodriguez (27-8).

Though Arlovski would be the odds-on favorite to beat Rothwell, the Belarussian has fought timidly since going night-night at the end of a Sylvia punch in 2006.

Rothwell is undefeated since 2005, but would enter a new atmosphere of competition versus Arlovski.

Both fighters would enter the fight with something to prove and the fight would have critical consequences for both fighters’ futures.