UFC 303 saw one longtime name in the sport retire when Michelle Waterson-Gomez laid down her gloves following her loss to Gillian Robertson. She will not be the only familiar name leaving following last night’s card, however.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski, who lost to Martin Buday via split decision in the fight preceding Waterson-Gomez’s, is expected to not return to the promotion.
UFC CEO Dana White stated at the UFC 303 post-fight press conference that the event marked Arlovski’s last fight. Ariel Helwani later followed up with clarification that Arlovski’s contract expired, but he is expected to continue on with his fighting career.
Last night was the final fight on Andrei Arlovski’s UFC contract.
He will not be re-signing with the promotion, I’m told, but he is still planning on fighting elsewhere.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 30, 2024
The loss to Buday marked Arlovski’s fourth straight, having gone winless since a split decision over Jake Collier in April 2022.
Andrei Arlovski’s UFC Contract Expired, Expected To Continue Career Away From The Octagon
Arlovski’s professional MMA career dates back to 1999, with Arlovski joining the UFC before the end of 2000. Arlovski’s promotional debut came with a submission win over Aaron Brink at UFC 28.
Arlovski defeated Tim Sylvia at UFC 51 to become interim UFC heavyweight champion — the first time an interim heavyweight title was awarded in the UFC. When Frank Mir struggled to come back from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, Arlovski was elevated to undisputed champion on Aug. 12, 2005.
Arlovski dropped the heavyweight title to Sylvia at UFC 59 and lost the rubber match at UFC 61.
Arlovski won three more fights after that but then left the UFC in 2008, going on to compete in promotions like Affliction, EliteXC, Strikeforce, and World Series of Fighting.
Arlovski returned to the UFC in 2014, defeating Brendan Schaub via split decision in his at UFC 174. Arlovski won four straight after making his way back to the Octagon before dropping five in a row.
Arlovski continued to have ups and downs in his second stint with the UFC before a four-fight win streak that ended with the victory over Collier.
