Andrei Arlovski says coaches were upset with his performance against Jared Vanderaa at UFC 271

HOUSTON – Andrei Arlovski is happy with Saturday’s win over Jared Vanderaa, but his coaches, not so much.

Arlovski (33-20 MMA, 22-14 UFC) notched his third win in a row when he edged out Vanderaa in the featured prelim on Saturday, but according to his coaches, he didn’t follow the gameplan.

“My coach is a little bit upset, but thanks God, thanks UFC, thanks Dana White,” Arlovski told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at the UFC 271 post-fight news conference. “Eight days ago, I turned 43. It’s a great present for me, and I tested my conditioning. I’m good for three rounds, so I’m good. My coach is a little bit upset because I didn’t do what I was supposed to do, but otherwise, everything went smooth, good, and I’m happy.”

He continued, “I was supposed to feint more, throw more overhand rights, switch stance. But Mike Brown and Steve Mocco are super upset that I hung out on the cage because I knew I was kind of winning the rounds, and I allowed myself to be lazy, but 100 percent not acceptable, this is wrong, and I guess when I come back to the gym, I’m gonna have a lot of ‘boo.’”

Arlovski is now tied in second place for most wins in UFC history at 22, only trailing record holder Donald Cerrone by one fight. Prior to his contest with Vanderaa, Arlovski said he feels better at 43 than he did in his 20s and is hoping he can compete for another couple of years.

“Lately, yes,” Arlovski said on his coaches being upset with his performances. “That’s why I’m disciplined right now. Like I said before, I choose what’s more important for me right now. I turned 43, and I know I still have maybe like in the best case scenario two, three years window.”