LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 23: (R-L) Andrei Arlovski punches Travis Browne in their heavyweight bout during the UFC 187 event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 23, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski has been one of the biggest MMA stories of the past year, much to the delight of UFC fans everywhere.
The 6-foot-4 Russian returned to the Octagon at UFC 174 after a more than eight-year absence to face Brendan Schaub, a fight which he won by split decision. Two months later, he'd go on to knock out "Bigfoot" Silva at UFC Fight Night in Brasilia, earning a "Performance of the Night" bonus and leaving many wondering if "Pit Bull" Arlovski could be a legitimate contender.
Arlovski answered that question and then some in his next outing against Travis Browne at UFC 187. Browne was coming off another first-round finish -- his fifth straight win by way of stoppage -- and looked to jump into title contention with a win over the former champ.
But Arlovski had none of it, putting on one of the best performances of the year against Browne and solidifying himself as a bonafide contender in the UFC's heavyweight division.
Pit Bull will attempt to continue his impressive win streak when he takes on former champion Frank Mir at UFC 191 Sept. 5.
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