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5. Arlovski’s Crash-and-Burn Knee
Affliction “Day of Reckoning”
Jan. 24, 2009 | Anaheim, Calif.
Andrei Arlovski in early 2009 was one of the best heavyweights in the world. Following the conclusion of his trilogy with Tim Sylvia, he had rattled off five straight wins that included the likes of future interim UFC champion Fabricio Werdum, Ben Rothwell and Roy Nelson, all except one by knockout.

That set up an exceptionally compelling matchup with heavyweight kingpin Fedor Emelianenko under the banner of the short-lived Affliction promotion. While still a substantial underdog -- he was as high as +330 at the books -- Arlovski had as good or better a chance as anybody to knock off the iron-fisted Russian.

For the first three minutes, everything went as well as could be expected for Arlovski. While he ate several punches, he landed hard kicks in return that had Emelianenko visibly wincing, and he tagged the Russian with a hard punching combination and front kick that pushed the champion back into the corner. Smelling blood, Arlovski jumped into a triumphant flying knee intended to knock off “The Last Emperor” once and for all.

Alas, it was not to be. Emelianenko plucked Arlovski mid-air with a counterpunch and put him face down on the canvas. It remains one of the great “what if” moments in MMA history; although Emelianenko probably would have touched the former UFC champion’s hittable chin at some point in the fight, Arlovski was on a good run and seemed to have figured out real weaknesses in the Russian’s game.

While Emelianenko’s reign would continue for another year, Arlovski’s career took a sharp downturn from which he has only recently recovered.

Number 4 » Theater of the Absurd