One of the world's best and recently forgotten heavyweights will jump back into maw of the heavyweight grind as Andrei Arlovski has announced on his website that he's making his return to the Strikeforce organization with a 16-month contract.  Rumors that he would face ATT fighter and former EliteXC heavyweight champion Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva were later confirmed by Silva's management.

Andrei's statement from Arlovski.com:

As promised I wanted to tell you all first hand, I have a multi-fight deal for the next 16 months with Strikeforce and I cannot wait to get into the ring and show the world what I have been working on for the last few months!

 Arlovski's career has been characterized by drastic sequences of ups and downs.  After back-to-back losses via strikes to Pedro Rizzo and Ricco Rodriguez in Arlovski's first UFC stint circa 2001, the Belarusian kickboxer tore through six-straight UFC opponents, snaring the UFC heavweight crown from Tim Sylvia in the process.

Just as he started to be placed on the pedestal of invincibility, Arlovski rematched Tim Sylvia and was in the process of repeating his first dominating performance over the "The Mainiac" when he overzealously walked into a straight right hand after dazing Sylvia with a punch of his own, and then fizzled out in an unremarkable decision-loss to Sylvia in the rubber match.

Once again considered a mortal man, Arlovski turned in three impressive UFC showings with wins over Marcio "Pe De Pano" Cruz, top Pride heavyweight Fabricio Werdum, and wrestler Jake O'Brien.  Then, Arlovski was unable to come to terms with Zuffa to renew his contract, and he jumped the octagon fence to what he hoped were greener pastures. 

Things started off well with double knockouts over current UFC heavies Ben Rothwell (Affliction) and Roy "Big Country" Nelson (EliteXC), but the hard times hit again when Arlovski was clobbered to the canvas by rising, heavy-handed heavyweight Brett Rogers in Strikeforce's 2009 "Lawler vs. Shields" co-main event.

This triggered the lowest point in Arlovski's MMA history, which impacted him immensely and had him entertaining suicide.

Now, after taking some time to rebuild his confidence and hone his boxing skills, Arlovski is back and eminently immersed in a tough fight with former fringe top-ten heavyweight Antonio Silva.  13-2 Silva is a monstrous specimen with adept ground skills and considerably improved stand-up technique.  "Bigfoot" is coming off his second career loss to Werdum by decision on last year's "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" event.

Although still incomplete, the Arlovski-Silva encounter is billed for the May 15th Strikeforce show in St. Louis, where the Alistair Overeem vs. Brett Rogers fight was just confirmed to be taking place.

This is another brilliant move by Strikeforce, as they can now align some of the most established and talented heavyweights outside of the UFC onto one platform, and enjoy more possibilities for heavyweight match-making.