SAN ANTONIO – Saturday night at UFC on ESPN 4, Andrei Arlovski will compete in his 30th UFC bout, the most of any heavyweight in the promotion’s history.

At age 40, many people believe Arlovski (27-18 MMA, 16-12 UFC) is approaching the end of his career, but not “The Pitbull.” The former UFC heavyweight champion believes he’s got years left and that he will one day hold championship gold once again.

“It’s just beginning,” Arlovski told MMA Junkie at a media day Thursday. “I got at least four or five more years, so we’ll see. I think so, why not? I’m in a good life right now. I have good coaches (and) team. The most important thing is my wife lets me do what I love to do, so I’m good.”

He later added, “First of all, it may sound stupid or not, but I want to be champion again. That’s why I’m in camp every day. (I) wake up at 6 o’clock in the morning. I stick to my gameplan, stick with my schedule, and do what I love to do.”

Even after 20 years of competing as a professional mixed martial artist, Arlovski doesn’t view MMA as a job. He explained that his deep passion for the sport is the sole reason he’s been able to continue when others have grown weary.

“Of course, it’s not a job,” Arlovski said.” It’s my passion. My first Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach told me, ‘Discipline is remembering what you want.’ So every morning, I remember what I want (and) why I’m doing this.”

The Belarusian is not naïve. He understands that making a title run at 40 will attract his fair share of naysayers and doubters. Arlovski said he has the belief of the one whose opinion matters most – himself.

“They might say, ‘He’s old. There’s no (expletive) way he’ll be champion again,’” Arlovski said. “But trust me, I’ll do everything possible to reach my goal. I’m one of the oldest ones, but listen, definitely I have fire in my eyes and the power to push myself every day in what I love to do.”

On Saturday, Arlovski will take on Ben Rothwell (36-11 MMA, 6-5 UFC) on the main card of UFC on ESPN 4 at AT&T Center. The entire card will air live on ESPN.

The pair of heavyweights squared off in July 2008 at Affliction 1. The first meeting saw Arlovski score a third-round TKO via punches.

For more on UFC on ESPN 4, check out the MMA schedule.