It wasn't easy, but former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski is back in the win column.

The Belarusian brawler was able to survive a first-round scare against a very game Ray Lopez in the main event of ProElite's return to mixed martial arts during the Aug. 27 fight card from the Neil S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Arlovski secured a third round technical knockout win over the Michigan native to snap a four-fight skid, one that included three violent knockout losses. Victorious, he can now begin to "re-build" his mixed martial arts career, one that seemed unstoppable just a few years back.

"I feel like I've taken first step in re-building my MMA career, he told Sherdog.com. "I'm really excited, I feel great. After four losses in a row, [all my trainers] did a great job and I really appreciate all the people who still believe in me, who were sure I'm not done. I'm sure I'm not done and I will be champion again."

Here more from "The Pitbull" after the jump.

For footage of Arlovski's win over Lopez and more ProElite fight videos click here.