DUBLIN – Former UFC heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski was ready to step in and fight Ben Rothwell at UFC Fight Night 76 before his management intervened and stopped him.

Arlovski (25-10 MMA, 14-4 UFC) was offered the co-main event matchup with Rothwell (35-9 MMA, 5-3 UFC) at Saturday’s event, which takes place at Dublin’s 3Arena, after original opponent Stipe Miocic (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) fell off the card due to injury.

“The Pitbull”, No. 5 in the NOS Energy Drink MMA heavyweight rankings, was prepared to fill the void against No. 7-ranked Rothwell on less than two weeks’ notice, but then his management team convinced him that taking such a risk wouldn’t serve his best interests.

“Actually the UFC contact my management team and I was like in, but my trainers, my managers said, ‘Listen, guy, we have to slow down a little bit. We have to wait. Maybe it’s not good idea.’ I have to agree with them, so now it’s even better because I’m going to fight Miocic on Jan. 2, which is great.”

The situation actually worked out well for the former UFC heavyweight champion. He was recently booked to fight No. 4-ranked Miocic in UFC 195’s co-main event on Jan. 2 in what is a more high profile affair against a higher ranked opponent.

In hindsight, Arlovski agrees the decision to not face Rothwell on short notice was the right one, especially because he already owns a July 2008 knockout victory over “Big.”

“I just feel bad for Ben Rothwell that his fight was canceled. I’m sure he trained hard, he’s a good guy but this is business, nothing personal. If the UFC decided to put me against Stipe Miocic on Jan. 2, I’m sold.”

Arlovski will enter the UFC 195 showdown with Miocic on a six-fight UFC winning streak, second best in the heavyweight division behind champion Fabricio Werdum. If he can match Werdum’s winning streak, a title shot will likely be around the corner, but Arlovski said he doesn’t plan to hold out for that opportunity.

“It doesn’t matter for me if the next one is going to be for the title or not, I first need to focus on Stipe Miocic. He’s tough, he’s dangerous and it’s up to UFC what’s going to happen after. I want to keep fighting and stay busy and not sit and wait.”

For more on UFC 195, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.