“MMA now is number one priority for me,” Arlovski assured fans during a video chat, but he hasn’t buried his squared circle aspirations, adding, “Definitely, I want to try [boxing].” Arlovski also announced he’s considering competing at a North American Grappling Association event, saying, “I’ve been working on my jiu-jitsu.”

“I’m 30 years old. It’s not over,” Arlovski emphasized about his future in mixed martial arts. “What’s happened has happened. I’m ready to go and ready to fight.”

Arlovski envisioned returning to MMA in December at a slimmed-down 238-240 pounds, but stopped short of announcing a fight or that he’s signed a contract with a promotion.

Arlovski did reiterate his desire to rematch fellow former UFC champ “Maine-iac” Tim Sylvia (24-6). “Any time, any day,” challenged Arlovski. When asked whether he or Sylvia would be the first to return to the UFC, Arlovski said, “Nobody don’t want to sign Tim Sylvia.”

Arlovski also weighed in on the announced autumn Strikeforce match-up between the last two men to knock Arlovski out, Fighters.com Heavyweight Champion “Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (30-1) and “Grim” Brett Rogers (10-0).

“Brett Rogers can lose and go back and change his tires in his body shop. I want Fedor to win,” Arlovski said.

Arlovski also addressed Fighters.com’s story about Arlovski playing Russian roulette.

“Some guy on Internet said I played Russian roulette because I was depressed about losing,” Arlovski said. “Let’s get real here, guys. I didn’t play Russian roulette because I was depressed that I lost to Brett Rogers. I wasn’t depressed. I was just in a bad mood.”

Fighters.com stands by the published article.

Perhaps it goes without saying; but, Fighters.com wanted to verify the stakes for Alexander. “Oh, yeah. If he loses, that’s it with the UFC,” said Fighters.com’s source.

Alexander exploded onto the international MMA scene when he TKO’d “Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine (14-6-1) in 48 seconds in Alexander’s Octagon debut at UFC 71 in Las Vegas in May 2007, but has been shelved by the UFC since losing his third straight when he tapped in an arm triangle to “Red” Eric Schafer (12-4-2) at UFC Fight Night 15 in Omaha in September 2008.

And, according to Fighters.com’s source, the UFC had warned Alexander he wouldn’t have another opportunity to fight in the Octagon until December. Adrenaline MMA 4 in Alexander’s hometown of Omaha is manager and Adrenaline MMA CEO Monte Cox’s way to get Alexander a pay day and some cage time in the interim.

Veteran heavyweight Pendergarst has lost five consecutive fights, but has submitted his opponent in eight of his 11 wins.

Alexander has been submitted twice and was TKO’d on his back versus Thiago Silva (15-1) at UFC 78 in Newark in November 2007. As phenomenal as Alexander has been on his feet, he’s been as abysmal on his back. And, the fight will be in the heayvweight division, Pendergarst’s optimal weight class.

It’s rare the UFC allows one of it’s fighters to fight outside the Octagon while remaining contracted to the UFC. It’s rarer still so much is at stake for that fighter. And, remember that it was at Adrenaline MMA 3 in Birmingham 13 June where former UFC heavyweight champion “Maine-iac” Tim Sylvia (24-6) was upset by “Merciless” Ray Mercer (1-0) in a nine-second KO.

Sylvia will return at Adrenaline MMA 4 versus Jason Riley (6-1). Riley knocked out Justin Black (2-2) for the heavyweight title at Caged Vengence 4 in Columbus 3 April.

Adrenaline MMA 4 will be held at the Mid-American Center in Council Bluffs on 18 September. The undercard will start at 7:30 PM; the main card will be broadcast on HDNet beginning at 9:00 PM. Pre-sale tickets start at $33 for general admission, $103 ringside, and $530 for a table of ten. Purchase tickets at Ticketmaster.

The rest of the card includes:

HDNet Broadcast at 9:00 PM:
“Grinder” Chad Reiner (19-8) v “Meat Cleaver” Forrest Petz (13-7)
Alonzo Martinez (22-10-1) v Ryan Williams (10-4)
Jeremy Lang (13-1) v Matt Delanoit (13-6)
Joe Vedepo (9-2) v Webster Farris (1-0)
James Siepel (4-1) v Bob Tuttle (0-0)

Untelevised:
Todd Meneely (0-0) v Corey McDonald (1-1)
Dustin Smith (2-0) v Marcos Marquez (3-1)
Matt Bentley (0-1) v Danny Black (1-0)
John Hansen (3-1) v Gregg Van der Creek (0-0)
Dakota Cochrane (3-0) v Bill Holcombe (1-1)
Ryan Shell (0-1) v Roberto Rojas (4-0)

What’s next for Syliva, who has lost three of his last four fights, is heavily booed by crowds in his home nation versus a foreign opponent, and no longer has the promotional strength of the UFC behind him?

Sylvia will be back, but versus whom?  Before being destroyed by Emelianenko Saturday night, he could argue that he was a top heavyweight despite his lack of marketability and likability.

Now, Sylvia is 1-3 over the last 20 months and has to deal with being a highlight on Emelianenko’s reel, a spec in “The Last Emperor’s” shadow.