Andrei Arlovski vs Josh Barnett highlights: UFC blog, round-by-round updates

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Here are the full results of this event: Main card Heavyweight: Josh Barnett def. Andrei Arlovski via submission (rear-naked choke) 2:53, R3 Light Heavyweight: Alexander Gustafsson def. Jan Blachowicz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Light Heavyweight: Ryan Bader def. Ilir Latifi via knockout (knee) 2:06, R2 Lightweight: Nick Hein def. Tae Hyun Bang via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-28, 30-27) Prelims Welterweight: Jessim Ayari def. Jim Wallhead via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27) Welterweight: Peter Sobotta def. Nicolas Dalby via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26) Women’s Bantamweight: Ashlee Evans-Smith def. Veronica Macedo via TKO (elbows) 3:14, R3 Bantamweight: Taylor Lapilus def. Leandro Issa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) Heavyweight: Christian Colombo and Jarjis Danho fought to a majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28) Middleweight: Jack Hermansson def. Scott Askham via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) Lightweight: Rustam Khabilov def. Leandro Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

THE OFFICIAL DECISION: Josh Barnett def. Andrei Arlovski via submission (rear-naked choke) 2:53, R3

#6 Andrei Arlovski vs #9 Josh Barnett – ROUND 3/5 Round three is underway. Arlovski lands a right hand that forces Barnett backwards. Barnett misses with the overhand right. Big shots land for Arlovski and Barnett looks hurt! Barnett fights through it and they clinch. Barnett gets the takedown and once again ends up on top in the half guard of Arlovski. Barnett ends up in mount once again and once again Arlovski gives up his back. Barnett sinks in the choke and Arlovski taps right away!

#6 Andrei Arlovski vs #9 Josh Barnett – ROUND 2/5 Round two is underway. Both of these men have been staggered early and late. They meet in the middle and Barnett throws an overhand right coming out of the gate, and initiates the clinch. Arlovski manages to switch position, and puts Barnett on the fence. Neither man working, so the referee forces the break. Both men land short shots on the inside, but it seemed Arlovski staggered Barnett. Barnett lands a jab and gets the clinch once again, driving Arlovski into the fence. Arlovski is able circle off but Barnett gets the clinch once again, and put Arlovski on the fence, landing some good knees to the body. Arlovski gets the trip but Barnett reverses the position and ends up on top in mount. Barnett lands short shots on top as he looks to posture up. Barnett is looking for the finish with strikes as he lands big shots on top. Barnett has the back and ends the round in a good position. My score: 10-9 Barnett Overall score: 19-19 (Draw)

#6 Andrei Arlovski vs #9 Josh Barnett – ROUND 1/5 Round one of a possible five is underway. Not many are expecting this one to go the distance. They two heavyweights meet in the middle. Barnett lands an uppercut and Arlovski is hurt! Arlovski lands a shot on of his own and Barnett is hurt! Barnett comes back and Arlovski is hurt! They clinch and end up on the fence! What a start to this fight! Barnett has Arlovski on the fence, there is some blood on the head of Arlovski, who turns off and breaks. Barnett lands a leg kick as they clinch again, and Barnett puts Arlovski on the fence once again. Knee to the body lands on Barnett. Arlovski gets a good takedown and ends up on top in the half guard of Barnett. Arlovski stands up as Barnett looks to axe kick him in the thigh. Arlovski still standing, and the referee allows backs them off, allowing Barnett to get back up to his feet. Arlovski lands a good shot, followed by a hard right hand that forces Barnett backwards. Barnett is looking for the takedown working for the single leg, but Arlovski is defending well. Barnett driving Arlovski on the fence, looking to change levels, but the round ends. My score: 10-9 Arlovski Overall score: 10-9 Arlovski

With just one win since 2013, it’s do-or-die time for Barnett. One more loss, and he may fall behind for good.

After a tough loss to Ben Rothwell in his last bout, Barnett cannot afford to fall too far behind in a division where several fighters are all knocking on the door of a title shot.

Also a former UFC heavyweight champion, a win for Josh Barnett would leapfrog him back to the top of the division.

With Overeem challenging Miocic for the title later in the month, Arlovski will be eager to make a statement against Josh Barnett and get a chance to take back some tough losses.

After defeating Brendan Schaub, Antonio Silva, Travis Browne and Frank Mir, Arlovski was finally bested in a title eliminator bout against Stipe Miocic, then, by Alistair Overeem.

Upon his return to the UFC in 2014, former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski looked better than ever, dominating the best in the division.

It’s a five-round heavyweight bout between two former UFC champions, as #6 Andrei Arlovski takes on #9 Josh Barnett!

It’s time for the main event!

THE OFFICIAL DECISION: Alexander Gustafsson def. Jan Blachowicz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

#2 Alexander Gustafsson vs Jan Blachowicz - ROUND 3/3 Third and final round. Blachowicz looks to put the pressure on once again, he really wants to keep this fight standing. A good shot lands for Gustafsson. Blachowicz lands a hard shot that forces Gustafsson backwards. Gustafsson closes the distance and gets another good takedown. Blachowicz gets guard, but he is eating shots from Gustafsson who is very stubborn on top, landing good elbows. Gustafsson is staying very busy, but the referee still wants to see 'progress' which must be in terms of position. Gustafsson tries to step over but Blachowicz doesn't allow him to. The referee stands them back up, but Gustafsson is able to get the takedown once again. Hammer fists land for Gustafsson, followed but another hard shot. Gustafsson passes to half guard once again but Blachowicz is able to recover. Gustafsson lands more shots on top and that's time. My score: 10-9 Gustafsson Overall score: 30-27 Gustafsson

#2 Alexander Gustafsson vs Jan Blachowicz - ROUND 2/3 Round two is underway. They touch gloves and right away Blachowicz lands a big overhand right. Both men swinging in the pocket and landing, but it looked like Blachowicz landed cleaner. Gustafsson changes levels and gets a huge takedown. Short elbows land for Gustafsson in Blachowicz's guard. Blachowicz is cut and starting to bleed, as Gustafsson stays busy in his guard. Gustafsson steps over into side control for a moment, and Blachowicz is able to get guard once again. Blachowicz is really trying hard to get back to his feet, but Gustafsson is doing very well to stay busy on top, landing elbows and short shots. Gustafsson gets up and finds half guard, but only for a moment as Blachowicz gets guard. Gustafsson ends the round in this position. My score: 10-9 Gustafsson Overall score: 20-18 Gustafsson

#2 Alexander Gustafsson vs Jan Blachowicz – ROUND 1/3 Round one of a possible three underway! Gustafsson lands some good leg kicks, but Blachowicz is in his face, looking to land big shots and stun the favourite. More good shots land for Blachowicz and it looks like Gustafsson is stunned. Both men are trading on the inside, Gustafsson able to land but Blachowicz lands cleaner, and we can really see the effects of the shots on Gustafsson's face. Blachowicz is trying to maintain this face, throwing good shots followed by a leg kick. They clinch and Blachowicz lands some more shots. Both men land jabs and Blachowicz lands a good one-two. Blachowicz lands another good shot as they clinch, and Gustfasson is able to get a big takedown, cutting off the submission attempt in the process. Gustfasson looks to land shots on top, landing a clean elbow followed by some short shots. Another elbow lands for Gustafsson, as he cuts off another submission attempt. Gustafsson lands another elbow on top and that's time. Very close round. My score: 10-9 Gustafsson Overall score: 10-9 Gustafsson

#2 Alexander Gustafsson takes on Jan Blachowicz!

It’s time for the co-main event!