Andrei Arlovski — a former UFC heavyweight champion and one of the most enduring figures in MMA — is set to make his Misfits Boxing debut on November 9 at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. After 42 UFC fights and multiple records to his name, the 45-year-old legend is closing in on a new chapter of his combat sports career, switching from the Octagon to the boxing ring. He will face Kelechi Dyke, a former reality TV personality and American football player, who returns to action after falling short in a recent heavyweight title challenge.
From UFC Veteran to Misfits Newcomer
Arlovski’s move to Misfits is more than a novelty — it is another pivot in a legendary career built on longevity and evolution. His resume includes the most wins in UFC heavyweight history, along with a reputation for toughness and technical intelligence. With over two decades of elite competition behind him, Arlovski enters Misfits with experience unmatched by nearly anyone in the crossover boxing scene.
While his background is in MMA, Arlovski has long been known for his striking fundamentals — crisp jabs, clean footwork and composure under pressure. Fans are eager to see how his refined stand-up arsenal translates when stripped of takedowns, kicks and grappling.
Kelechi Dyke: A Different Kind of Opponent
Standing opposite Arlovski is Kelechi Dyke — also known as “Kelz.” Dyke brings a completely different profile to this matchup: reality television fame, a career in American football, and a newer — but bold — entry into boxing. Despite losing in his last outing, he showed durability and ambition, enough to earn another marquee matchup.
With more than 400,000 Instagram followers and a strong presence outside of combat sports, Dyke adds mainstream visibility to the event. The fight becomes more than a sporting contest — it is a collision of legacy versus celebrity, of combat pedigree versus crossover ambition.
Misfits Boxing: The Crossover Stage
Misfits Boxing has quickly become the home of athletes crossing over from MMA, football, entertainment and beyond. Its format blends spectacle and sport, creating high-interest fights that break traditional combat sports molds. Names like Darren Till — and now Andrei Arlovski — give Misfits legitimacy and intrigue.
Arlovski’s debut signals more than one man’s career transition. It marks a continued shift in combat sports culture, where fighters no longer retire — they redirect. Misfits has positioned itself as the destination for that redirection.
What This Fight Represents
Arlovski vs. Dyke is not simply a test of who is the better boxer — it is a snapshot of two career paths intersecting for very different reasons. Arlovski competes to add another accomplishment to an already historic run. Dyke fights to rebound, to validate himself in a sport where credibility must be earned.
The bout brings together experience, fame, legacy and opportunity into one high-stakes crossover showcase. Whether Arlovski dominates or Dyke surprises, the outcome will ripple far past the final bell — for both men and for Misfits Boxing as a brand.
