It's official.
Andrei Arlovski will make his long-awaited return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Octagon when he throws hands opposite Brendan Schaub at the UFC 174: "Johnson vs. Bagautinov" pay-per-view (PPV) event, which takes place inside the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
FOX Sports confirmed the booking earlier today, and spoke to "The Hybrid" about the task at hand:
"I couldn't be more excited. Andrei and I have trained together before, he trains at a world-class level. For me it's a legend, it's a world-class fighter. We'll definitely be the talk of UFC 174. He's a bigger name than Mark Hunt. He's a legend. It's like them calling up and saying you're pitching against Bo Jackson, he's one of the greats... A big convincing win, a knockout of Andrei Arlovski, that launches me up there. It couldn't get bigger for me. My coach asked 'well what should we do with this fight?' and I said line up the toughest sons of bitches you can find because this isn't going to be one of those quick knockouts."
Arlovski (21-10) recently signed with UFC -- where he once wore the heavyweight crown -- after more than a six-year absence (more on that surprise announcement here). "The Pitbull" was 8-5 (1 NC) during that stretch. Schaub, meanwhile, is 6-3 under the UFC banner (10-3 overall) after graduating from The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season 10 back in 2009.
Don't blink.
UFC 174 will feature the first-ever flyweight pay-per-view (PPV) main event title fight between division champion, Demetrious Johnson, and red-hot No. 4-ranked Russian grinder, Ali Bagautinov. In the PPV co-main event, homegrown mixed martial arts (MMA) talent, Rory MacDonald, will look to establish himself as the top welterweight contender on the roster at the expense of streaking Strikeforce veteran, Tyron Woodley.
For the latest and greatest UFC 174: "Johnson vs. Bagautinov" fight card and rumors click here.