Andrei Arlovski started fighting professionally on April 9, 1999; it was a loss to Datsik. Three wins in three fights in 18 months later and he successfully debuted in the big show. At UFC 51, on February 5, 2005, Arlovski ankle locked Tim Sylvia in 47 seconds to become interim heavyweight champ. Sylvia won the rematch at UFC 59 on April 15, 2006, and Arlovski has fought on an on since.

In 2016-2017, he lost five in a row, only to bounce back with two wins, and then lost four in a row (although one was changed to a No Contest when his opponent tested positive for a PED. It looked like his fighting career was at an end. However, Andrei Arlovski has fought on, and it 2-1 last three, heading into his fight Saturday night vs. Tanner Boser in the co-main event of UFC on ESPN+ 40.

Now 42 years old, Arlovski spoke with reporters at the UFC Vegas 13 media day, and said he approaching his prime.

I take care of my body,” he began. “I choose what is most important for me now. There are not many UFC fighters over age 40 that are still fighting. Who? Me, Alexey Oleynik, Yoel Romero, and Anderson Silva who fought last weekend. Listen, I have a great example in George Foreman, who became champion at age 46. Mark my words, for me primetime is ahead of me in near future.

Opponent Tanner “The Bulldozer” Boser is 29 and has been fighting since 2012, and is 3-1 since debuting in the UFC. In his last fight, Boser TKoed Raphael Pessoa at UFC on ESPN 14 on July 26, 2020. The odds are very heavily in Boser’s favor, but call it UG, who wins, when and how?

h/t Dan Hiergesell for MMA Mania