UFC Vegas 24 results: Andrei Arlovski outpoints Chase Sherman with veteran savvy
Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski bounced back from a blowout loss to prospect Tom Aspinall by outclassing veteran Chase Sherman in UFC Vegas 24’s co-main event.
Arlovski took home unanimous scores of 29-28, frustrating Sherman with superior movement and speed. By the end of the third round, Sherman lost his composure and mean-mugged the ex-champ in a last-ditch effort to produce a slugfest that might favor him.
“I looked for every opportunity to prove that I’m not done,” Arlovski said afterward.
There was a moment in the first round when it looked like the ex-champ might be on his way out. A big straight right from Sherman caught him clean and forced him into survival mode. But he rolled with the punches and avoided the worst damage, and then he claimed a groin shot that brought him a brief reprieve, if not officially.
Sherman was successful early with a check left hook as Arlovski charged in sporadically. If not for Arlovski’s speed, he might have been more successful in landing the telling blow. And while he and Arlovski certainly traded their share of big shots, Arlovski landed a greater variety.
That was particularly true for low kicks, as Arlovski punished Sherman’s lead calf and left him unable to plant on his foot. By the third round, Sherman walked gingerly forward and wasn’t capable of throwing with the kind of power he had before.
Following a legit low blow, Sherman tried one last time to charge down his foe and land a big shot. But Arlovski stuck and move, and he didn’t bite on Sherman’s invitation.
Less than two months after his loss to Aspinall, the 42-year-old Arlovski is again back in the win column. And while a title shot is unlikely at this point in his career, he is a game opponent to anyone.
“My particular future is in the hands of Dana White and [UFC matchmaker] Mick [Maynard],” Arlovski said. “Hopefully, a few more years.”
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