UFC legend and former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski recently provided detailed commentary about his viral altercation with associates of American prankster Jack Doherty at a Netflix boxing event in Miami.
The viral incident, which has circulated worldwide, occurred following the Jake Paul versus Anthony Joshua fight card.
In a recent interview, Arlovski explained the confrontation began innocently as he walked toward the parking lot with friends. “My friend and his pregnant wife were walking in front of me. He hit him with his shoulder. And then my wife walked, and I walked. I wanted him to not hurt my wife. I put my hand between my wife, well, I fenced my wife with my hand between him. Maybe he moved it a little and then it came from behind and took off.”
The former champion suggested the encounter may have been intentional. “I tell everyone that they all walk around with these, what are they called, microphones. Well, that’s it, the camera is on and the bodyguard is nearby. And everyone who writes says they are looking for the fight. I’m saying they were really looking for someone to get to. They just got the wrong guy, that’s all.”
During the confrontation, Arlovski’s wife’s phone was knocked away during the chaos. “My wife immediately started doing something about me again, and someone kicked her phone away. I’ll go look for a phone there now.”
The UFC star noted that even an attempted peacemaker became caught in the confusion. “There was one bald guy who rushed towards me. I grabbed him by the neck by mistake. I thought it might be one of the ones from the other side of the fire. It turned out that he was simply trying to protect and shield me.”
Reflecting on his response, Arlovski acknowledged restraint despite having his phone in hand during the incident. “First of all, first of all, the phone was in my hand. Secondly, like, well, there are cops, I saw cops, that the militia is standing there, the police. And, frankly, thank God that I think about it. That is, it didn’t go wild.”
When asked about pressing charges, Arlovski remained uncertain. “On the one hand, the old guy shouldn’t be a comelfo on the young ones, and on the other hand, it’s necessary that she learn a lesson, so that they go and don’t do all sorts of nonsense.”
He emphasized his protective instinct was the primary factor: “My wife was walking there, I’m like, I’m saying, I fenced it off there and my friend was walking with his pregnant wife. He kind of passed, oh well, I tried to protect my wife, roughly speaking, and this is what came out of it.”
The 46-year-old expressed surprise at such behavior occurring in America with security present. “The arena is full of cops and security guards. Nobody inserts anything at all.”
Looking ahead, Arlovski confirmed his upcoming February 7 BKFC match against Ben Rothwell. Additionally, he revealed overcoming a significant health challenge earlier in 2025.
