Carlos Felipe Nets Andrei Arlovski Matchup in October After Callout

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Carlos Felipe has made life easier for Ultimate Fighting Championship matchmakers, getting his requested pairing in October.

After Felipe (11-1) defeated Jake Collier in June by split verdict, the Brazilian called out Andrei Arlovski (31-20, 2 NC) in the post-fight press conference. The promotion has granted his request, as Felipe and Arlovski will throw down at an upcoming UFC Fight Night card on Oct. 16 inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Felipe announced the news of this pairing on an interview with Canal Encarada on Wednesday, and he subsequently confirmed the heavyweight tilt on his Instagram.

“I have a request for the matchmakers,” Felipe asked at the UFC 263 post-fight press conference. “Put me with Andrei Arlovski. This is the fight to make. I have all the respect for Andrei Arlovski, but I think his time has already passed. This is my time. It’s time for the new generation. All my respect to him, but I think this fight makes sense.”

Felipe continued, “September, October…It could be next month [July] too, but September or October would ok. I saw that he had a hand surgery so September or October would be perfect for both of us. Arlovski, all my respect to you, but let’s make this fight happen, let’s make a brawl.”

Felipe finds himself on a three-fight decision win streak, with split verdicts this year over Justin Tafa and Jake Collier to lead into this Arlovski battle. Coming into the UFC, the Brazilian celebrated a knockout rate of 75 percent, but since his debut, all four bouts have gone the distance. His debut did not go well for him, as he dropped a majority decision to Sergey Spivak in July 2020.

Arlovski has won three of four dating back to 2020, with a lone loss to Tom Aspinall interspersed between decision victories over Chase Sherman, Tanner Boser and Philipe Lins. Of note, the 42-year-old ex-champ notched his 20th win as a UFC heavyweight, extending his own heavyweight record while becoming one of seven men to prevail 20 times inside the Octagon.

The Oct. 16 UFC Fight Night event has a likely destination of the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, but no marquee matches have been billed as of yet. In addition to the Arlovski-Felipe clash, Ludovit Klein meets Nate Landwehr at featherweight. In the flyweight division, Maryna Moroz will take on Luana Carolina as well.