MMA Quick Hits 7/6/11: Andrei Arlovski vs. Joe McCall for ProElite, Forrest Griffin discusses difficult weight cut

According to multiple published reports, former UFC Heavyweight Champion and Affliction, EliteXC and Strikeforce veteran Andrei Arlovski is the first confirmed fighter to sign on for ProElite’s return toMMA this August. Arlovski is scheduled to headline the event, and while an opponent is in place, the bout agreements have not yet been signed. However, SportsNickel.com has learned from a source close to one of the fighters that his opponent will be none other than 9-2, Joe McCall. If ProElite can keep it together, this is a great first main event. McCall is no push over and is rapidly improving. If Arlovski can bring a great fight and get a finish, it will drastically improve ProElite’s chances of getting a foothold in the MMA world once again. If he doesn’t, McCall isn’t going to be selling tickets by himself. Pretty good fighter, but he doesn’t have a huge name like Arlovski. And yes, despite 4 straight losses, Arlovski’s name still holds weight. Haters. WAR ARLOVSKI! Interesting fun fact: This will be the Pitbull vs. Cujo. DOGFIGHT!

Forrest Griffin told Sherdog.com that he’s in for a harsh weight cut before his fight with Mauricio Rua. “I definitely put on more weight than I would like. I need to cut weight and it won’t be easy. I’ll have a lot of problems until the fight in Brazil, but I’ve gotta do it. I don’t want to fight at heavyweight, so I gotta cut that fucking weight…It’s difficult to adjust yourself [to another country]. There’s the jetlag thing, and it’s difficult to make weight since Brazil doesn’t have the distilled water I use in the U.S. and the food I need to eat…It’s clearly a pain in the ass.” That sounds like a difficult time. But if I got paid as much as he did I wouldn’t complain. Then again, I probably wouldn’t gain that much weight between fights either. Of course there is always a chance Griffin is pulling our chain. He’s always joking around so who really knows?

According to a report from Fighter’s Only, a light heavyweight fight between Chael Sonnen and Lyoto Machidas is being targeted for UFC 136 in Houston in October, with verbal agreements already in place. Machida even told Tatame.com that he’d sign on for that fight immediately if Sonnen really wants it. No surprise here. Sonnen has been attacking Machida for a while on Twitter. Can’t wait to see it.

Bellator Fighting Championships scheduled Featherweight Championship bout between Joe Warren and Patricio “Pitbull” Freire has been moved to a later date due to Freire breaking his hand in training, according to multiple reports. Well damn. I was really looking forward to this fight. Bellator 47 just took a huge hit.

Sean Sherk told MMAJunkie.com that he’s readying for a return to action this fall and wants to fight a top contender. “There’s a lot of guys out there with momentum. When I do get a fight scheduled, I want to fight someone who has a lot of momentum, who is a top contender, and somebody who has worked their way up the ladder.” He has to fight a top guy. Otherwise he’ll run out of time to climb that same ladder. He’s not so young anymore. Two great wins over top guys might get him one last shot at the belt.