Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski has spent more than two decades doing something very few people on the planet ever could: making a living fighting the toughest men in the world. But on this episode of First Last Next, we found a different side of "The Pit Bull."
From immigrating to the United States with little more than a dream, to becoming one of the most accomplished heavyweight fighters in MMA history, Arlovski sat down to talk about life outside the cage, his passion for firearms, raising his family, and why he's still chasing history at 47 years old.
A Fighter's Journey to America
Andrei's story starts thousands of miles away from the octagon. Originally from Belarus, he first arrived in the United States in September of 2000 before eventually settling here permanently in 2003. More than twenty years later, America isn't just where he lives. It's home.
His appreciation for the freedoms available here, especially the Second Amendment, came up throughout the conversation. Comparing life in Belarus to life in states like Texas and Florida, Arlovski couldn't help but smile when talking about what responsible gun ownership looks like in America. As he put it simply: "God bless America."
That appreciation wasn't political theater. It came from someone who experienced life on both sides and understands the difference firsthand.
First Gun: A Glock 17
Like many firearm enthusiasts, Andrei's collection started with a classic. His first firearm was a Glock 17 after moving to Florida, where friends in law enforcement helped point him in the right direction. From there, the collection grew quickly. Today, he owns multiple safes full of firearms and suppressors spanning nearly every popular caliber.
But his real turning point came during his first hunting trip. A friend handed him a suppressed .45-70, and after experiencing what shooting with a suppressor felt like, there was no going back. "Once you go suppressed," our host joked, "it's hard to come back." Arlovski agreed immediately.
For him, suppressors aren't just about reducing noise. They're about protecting hearing, making shooting more enjoyable, and helping ensure he'll still be able to enjoy the sport decades from now.
Sharing the Range With His Son
Some of the best moments in the episode had nothing to do with fighting. When asked whether his family enjoys shooting, Andrei's face lit up.
His oldest son, now 13 years old, has become his regular range partner. The two spend time shooting together, treating marksmanship as both a hobby and a sport. His younger son hasn't quite caught the bug yet, but that's okay.
For Arlovski, it's less about creating another fighter and more about creating opportunities to spend time together. Those moments on the range have become some of his favorite family memories.
Last Gun: An 8.6 Blackout
When it came time for the "Last" portion of First Last Next, Andrei's answer was easy. His newest addition is an 8.6 Blackout rifle. While waiting on the paperwork to clear, he'd already had the chance to shoot the cartridge and immediately understood why it has developed such a loyal following.
His future plans? Pig hunting. Eventually, he'd also love the opportunity to hunt Africa one day, a dream that naturally led to plenty of joking about getting invited on one of Q's famous hunting adventures.
Next Gun? A Piece of Art
Although his collection already covers just about everything imaginable, Andrei admitted he's still looking ahead. His next rifle is already in the works. Rather than focusing on specs, he described it another way: "When you hold it in your arms, it's like a piece of art."
For someone who has spent decades appreciating craftsmanship, discipline, and performance, it was fitting that the firearm itself was something to admire as much as shoot.
Still Chasing Greatness
Even after nearly three decades of professional fighting, retirement isn't on Andrei's mind. His current focus remains squarely on combat sports. He's preparing for another run at a BKFC title while also chasing something even bigger: longevity.
Andrei wants to continue competing long enough to challenge records set by athletes like Bernard Hopkins, proving that elite competition doesn't necessarily have an expiration date. For someone who has built an entire career around resilience, it feels like the perfect next chapter.
Fighting for Family
While championships and records still matter, they aren't what motivates Arlovski most these days. Family comes first.
He spoke proudly about his three children, joking that his sons have already decided they'll be interviewing any future boyfriends who come calling for their little sister. It's the kind of lighthearted moment that reminds you even one of the most intimidating heavyweights in MMA history is, at the end of the day, just a dad trying to protect his family.
First. Last. Next.
Every guest leaves us with three simple answers.
First Gun: Glock 17.
Last Gun: An 8.6 Blackout rifle while waiting for the tax stamp approval.
Next: Another custom rifle that Andrei describes as "a piece of art," along with plenty more time spent growing his firearms collection.
For someone whose reputation was built on knockouts and championship belts, this conversation showed another side of Andrei Arlovski. He's still a fighter. He's still chasing records. But he's also a father, a hunter, a firearms enthusiast, and an immigrant who deeply appreciates the freedoms he found in America.
And judging by this conversation, he's just getting started.
