Andrei Arlovski confident he can persuade UFC to let him rematch Fedor Emelianenko outside the Octagon

Fedor Emelianenko broke the hearts of fight fans around the world when he announced he had signed with Rizin FF, not Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), for his mixed martial arts (MMA) comeback.

He also crushed the hopes of some fighters, too, as many prominent UFC Heavyweights were already lobbying for a bout against the Russian superstar. Chief among them was Andrei Arlovksi, who desperately wanted another go-around against "The Last Emperor."

But, just because they aren't fighting under the same banner, doesn't mean a rematch won't happen. As "The Pitbull" told Bloodandsweat.ru (via Bloody Elbow), he is confident he can persuade his current employers to venture outside the Octagon for at least one fight to take on Fedor.

His words.

"Sure! If you can do that, I'll pay you 10% if this fight happens. We can discuss any conditions, but the only crucial points [of negotiation] for me are: accommodation, food and fly-over for me and my team. I think I can even persuade the UFC to let me fight outside the organization once."

Arlovski and Fedor initially met in 2009, which saw Emelianenko knock out Andrei in the very first round under the now-defunct Affliction banner.

Of course, Arlovski's wishes to take on Fedor outside of the eight-walled cage could be easier said than done, as UFC has always been against leasing out their fighters to other organizations.

But, they have allowed it before, as Chuck Liddell was given permission by Dana White to compete in PRIDE FC's 2003 Grand Prix. Whether or not they grant Andrei the same privilege, remains to be seen.

For now, "The Pitbull" will continue to knock heads inside the Octagon, as he is scheduled to take on Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA teammate, Alistair Overeem, in the main event of UFC Fight Night 87 in Rotterdam this May.