FightUK.com

The Affliction: “Banned” poster in its current form looks incomplete, but perhaps not for long.

May 19 to be be exact, which is just four days from now.

Former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski could ink a deal in this time with the new promotion and take on Ben Rothwell at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on July 19, according to SportsIllustrated.com.

Here’s the snip:

“May 19 is the day when Andrei Arlovski could sign with Affliction, SI.com has learned. That is, assuming the UFC declines to match what is believed to be a deal that pays the former UFC champion in the low-to-mid six figures for the first of three non-exclusive bouts…. Should Arlovski and Affliction complete their deal, the Belarusian is expected to appear at next Tuesday’s press conference at the in Century City, Calif., to announce a fight against former International Fight League heavyweight champion Ben Rothwell.”

This speculation has been swirling for some time; however, now with this report it appears to give it a little more substance, and at the very least, provides us with a timeline of when we can expect an official announcement regarding the future of “The Pitbull.”

If indeed accurate, the addition of a bout between Arlovski and Rothwell will make this one hell of a fight card.

Stay tuned.

Read more at: http://mmamania.com/2008/05/15/andrei-arlovski-could-sign-with-affliction-on-may-19-and-fight-ben-rothwell-at-banned/.