Andrei Arlovski realizes Boxing doesn't translate well to MMA

I haven't posted an Apples and Oranges (WKR's attempt to point out the differences in boxing and MMA) story for a while, namely due to the lack of events within the field. There haven't been any boxing enthusiasts or sports pundits taking veiled shots at MMA as a lesser form of boxing for some time now. This is a good thing because it shows that the awareness and education of MMA is increasing and is effectively dispelling the ignorance of dissidents. 

Of course there has been a recent trend of fighters running to learn under the tutelage of renowned boxing trainer,  Freddie Roach. While honing a certain skill set under a master is no-brainer, staying there too long may have some lingering negative effects. 

Enter one Andrei Arlovski. Arlovski was always a feared MMA striker and he rose through the ranks quickly to capture the UFC heavyweight title. After back-to-back losses to Tim Sylvia and an injury hiatus, Arlovski fought Fabricio Werdum in one of the worst fights of 2007. The UFC appeared done with Arlovski and they put Jake O'Brien in front of their former champion. Arlovksi beat O'Brien and the UFC let him go. Andrei quickly found himself in the upstart Affliction promotion where he had a revival defeating Ben Rothwell and Roy Nelson, the two heavyweight stars of the IFL. Arlovski was ready for the crucible that all heavyweight fighters should go through, Fedor. 

It was at this time that Arlovski found himself a new trainer, Freddie Roach. Roach began to publicly lambast Fedor's abilities. Many of us in the MMA media knew that this was a folly of arrogant boxing trainer. Roach made the fundamental error in not realizing the core differences between boxing and MMA. The results, a first knockout at the hands of Fedor. Roach dismissed the occurrence as 'lucky' and continued to prep his new pupil for his eventual boxing debut. 

Then Strikeforce called and Arlovski found himself facing a top-heavyweight prospect, Brett Rogers. Again Arlovski trained with Roach honing his boxing skills; a decision no one can truly fault him for, after all Rogers is a stand-up fighter, it makes sense to then prepare one's stand-up. 

Again the results were the same. A first round knockout.

Perhaps Arlovski spent too much time in an angled stance of a boxer as oppose to the wide stance of an MMA fighter.  Perhaps he had gotten too comfortable using eight ounce gloves as a defensive tool or the dissipating energy of their strikes. Perhaps he had just gotten stale.

Whatever it was Arlovski has learned the error of his ways. He posted this comment on his official website, 

I focused too much on boxing and not enough on the wrestling and jiu-jitsu. It wasn't right. It's another thing I have to think about. MMA is not boxing. I have to change something. I don't understand this question about my chin. When you open your face for four or five punches it doesn't matter your chin, you will get KOed. Rogers was great, he did what he did. I took the fight and I got my ass kicked, it's that simple. It's embarrassing, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I have to move on. I'm definitely going to come back.   

For the fledgling boxer the knockout loss to Rogers was even worse now that it has prevented him from making his debut on June 27th.