Jairzinho Rozenstruik: To Follow in the Heavyweight Blueprint
By James Lee
On the biggest stage of the year, undefeated Jairzinho Rozenstruik has the chance to follow the heavyweight blueprint set before on the journey to UFC gold when he faces Andrei Arlovski at UFC 244 this Saturday.
The Belrusian has a long history in mixed martial arts, even picking up the UFC heavyweight title in 2005, but lately, he has become a stepping-stone for the rising fighters to beat on their way to fighting the best.
Rozenstruik can do the same on the biggest stage of the year at Madison Square Garden.
Most noticeably, in recent times, Stipe Miocic, Alastair Overeem and Francis N’Gannou have stopped Arlovski emphatically before going on to fight for the world title.
The N’Gannou route is one that resonates most to Rozensturik’s current situation, being a powerful striker on a long win streak that could finally earn some recognition with an emphatic win.
Despite years of inconsistency in Arlovski’s career, his name still carries weight and a victory over him at any stage can provide the boost to a rising fighter that they need to push into the rankings.
‘Bigi Boy’ has started his UFC career perfectly as of yet with two finishes over Junior Albini and Allen Crowder, with that one coming just nine seconds into the fight.
It is clear he carries the power to trouble anybody in the division, but he needs to make a statement in New York.
A knockout finish of the former champion would put him right where he needs to be in the sport as this stage.
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