UFC Fighter Returning Soon, TUF Finale Draws Millions, Arlovski-Affliction

Partial source: MMAMania.com

- Following back-to-back losses against Fedor Emelianenko and Brett Rogers, Andrei Arlovski is now without an organization to fight for. Affliction Entertainment made the decision not to renew Arlovski’s contract now that it has expired. Arlovski fought twice under the Affliction banner, earning $750,000 for his win over Ben Rothwell. Disclosed payroll indicates that he earned $1.5 million in the loss to Emelianenko. Arlovski was a late addition to the most recent Strikeforce card on Showtime, where he was defeated in just 22 seconds by unranked heavyweight Brett Rogers.

- Houston Alexander, who was forced to withdraw from his UFC 98 matchup with Andre Gusmao due to a broken hand, is all healed up and ready to return to action. Although no date has been set, The Assassin is eyeing a return to the Octagon in late summer or early fall. Alexander burst onto the scene with highlight reel knockouts of Keith Jardine and Alessio Sakara, but he has since suffered three consecutive losses at the hands of Thiago Silva, James Irvin and Eric Schafer. In two of those three losses Alexander was taken to the ground and dominated, looking completely lost on his back. Houston has been improving his ground game by training with UFC veteran Jeremy Horn.

- This past Saturday, the Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale had a peak audience of 2.8 million viewers for the Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida fight. Overall the Finale scored a 1.5 rating, making it the highest rated Ultimate Fighter Finale since season 6. The program was the most watched program among men aged 18-49, beating out MLB on FOX and the U.S. Open.