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On May 8, the UFC will put on their first ever event in Rotterdam, Netherlands when Alistair Overeem takes on former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski in the main event at the Rotterdam Ahoy.

This clash will see the number 3 and number 6 ranked UFC heavyweights clash in a bout that could well determine the next UFC heavyweight title contender.

Speaking to Mirror Sport yesterday, Arlovski said this was a fight the Dutchman had begged the UFC for.

"F*** no, Overeem called Joe Silva and begged him over and over to fight me in his hometown," said Arlovski.

"The UFC then called me, called my manager and told me that Overeem wanted to fight me on the Rotterdam card - I said 'no problem'."

While fighters asking the UFC to face another opponent isn't all that uncommon, the claim that Overeem asked the UFC to face Arlovski is a little odd given that the both are teammates at the Jackson-Wink MMA Academy in Alberqurque, New Mexico.

(Image: Getty)

Arlovski admitted this was a little strange but not necessarily for himself.

"It is a little weird, but for me, it isn't weird for because I don't give a f***. He won't have coach Winkeljohn or Greg Jackson as the coaches so it is no help top him so I am fine with that."

Arlovski was referring to the fact that for the fight in May, all the main coaches at the Jackson-Wink MMA Academy will be his corner and not Overeem's.

He also revealed that he has been training with "the best guys in the gym" and named the likes of Jon Jones and Nate Quarry.

The former UFC heavyweight champion then made a point of saying that he was the one dictating how and when his training was taking place in the gym and that contrary to popular belief, the two teammates weren't working around a schedule of avoiding each other.

"F*** no - absolutely not," said Arlovski adamantly when asked if a training session system had been implemented.

(Image: Getty)

"I'm training on my schedule. If I have to be there in the morning, I will be there in the morning. If I have to be there at night, I will be there at night. If I have to be there all f ****** day, I will be there all f ****** day."

He continued: "I'm number one priority for the team and that's it, period."

Arlovski did however then confirm the two hadn't seen each other since their last face-to-face meeting in Las Vegas at the UFC Unstoppable press conference which took place on March 5.

The Belarusian was also complimentary of the Dutchman's striking capabilities and conceded that he would be a dangerous opponent.

"He's a great kickboxer, Muay Thai fighter, has great boxing skills and has great knees and elbows.

"In his last few fights he's been working with the wrestling coaches so I think he will try and take me down but that's good."

(Image: Getty)

UFC Rotterdam will be the first ever UFC event held in the Netherlands and will likely host a crowd that will be highly in favour of their hometown hero Alistair Overeem. Arlovski said this wouldn't bother him one bit.

"Listen, I'm sure there will be a lot of people booing me except a few people who will come from Russia or Belarus to support me, but I'm sure there will be people f ****** booing me but it's all good, I'm very excited."

Having already been a UFC heavyweight champion, you might think Arlovski would now be taking things easy as he enters the final few years of his career. Arlovski, however, said this couldn't be further from the truth.

"Who cares if I was a champion? I have new goals in front of me and I promise you I do what's possible to reach them."

He then added: "Overeem is in my f ****** way and I will do everything possible to smash him and that's it period."

Tickets to see Andrei in action at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Arlovski are on sale from 9am GMT on Thursday 24 March, via Ticketmaster.