Andrei Arlovski vs Pedro Rizzo — Fight recap

Pedro Rizzo defeated Andrei Arlovski via KO/TKO in the third round at 2:45 on March 22, 2002. Despite landing 38 significant strikes compared to Rizzo's 27, Arlovski's output at 40 percent accuracy proved insufficient as Rizzo's precision striking—particularly 16 of 24 leg kicks—accumulated damage throughout the bout.

Arlovski attempted no takedowns and generated no control time, remaining committed to a striking exchange where Rizzo's timing and placement proved superior. Rizzo secured one knockdown before finishing the fight in the third, demonstrating the effectiveness of his methodical leg-kick strategy against Arlovski's higher volume but lower-efficiency approach.

The loss marked a significant setback for Arlovski's heavyweight trajectory at a critical juncture in his career.