Mike Chiappetta • E-mail

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Andrei Arlovski's wish list is short and sweet: getting back into the octagon, and staying there.

The 29-year-old heavyweight champ has been the subject of much speculation over the past year. He hasn't been seen in the octagon since his April 2007 bout with Fabricio Werdum and makes his long-awaited return in an undercard fight with undefeated Jake O'Brien.

"I'm very excited for my first fight after 11 months," Arlovski said in an exclusive interview with NBCSports.com about 24 hours before his return to the cage. "I've trained hard, spent my time in the gym boxing and in jiu-jitsu and wrestling practice, so I'm ready."

And the Belarus native who currently resides in Chicago says that he is not simply riding out the last fight of his contract. Indeed, he hopes to re-sign with the UFC soon.

Prior to the Werdum-Arlovski matchup, UFC President Dana White had stated that the winner could very likely become the top contender for the heavyweight title belt. However, on the same night that Arlovski walked away with a unanimous decision win, Gabriel Gonzaga pulled off the spectacular head-kick victory heard 'round the world that vaulted him into the No. 1 contender slot.

Arlovski took two months off after the bout before beginning serious training, and has been working hard since for his next opportunity to enter the cage. The wait eventually stretched to 11 months, putting a strain on his budget, but still, he never questioned his commitment to fighting, and to the UFC.

"You're talking about that I didn't make some money, so it was the worst time for me, a hard time," Arlovski said. "But for my training and skills, definitely I'm better than I was before. I learned a lot of stuff in boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu. I'm very happy that I have a great trainer, so it's good."

White noted in Thursday's press conference that making sure Arlvoski stays in the fold is among his top priorities, saying, "Andrei's a guy I want. I want him here, so I think we'll get it done."

When told of White's comments, Arlovski smiled, saying, "I want to be with UFC, too. We'll see."

Arlovski noted his focus has been completely on this fight, and that his contract status was not a concern, reiterating that the two sides have a "great" relationship that they hope to continue.

Beating O'Brien will be no easy feat. The former Purdue wrestler is a perfect 10-0, but like Arlovski is coming off a long layoff, albeit for very different reasons. Shortly after beating Heath Herring in a January 2007 match, O'Brien suffered from stingers that were eventually traced to a herniated disc and bone spurs in his neck. The injury was career-threatening, but after an operation that included a cadaver disc and titanium plates was successful, O'Brien is hoping to re-ignite his career.

"Jake is a very good wrestler," Arlovski said. "He has a perfect record, 10-0. I spent a lot of time with wrestling classes with great coaches. They showed me good stuff, so I'm ready, 100 percent."

With the wealth of name fighters on the card, Arlovski's match was placed on the undercard, a designation that some criticized, but one he isn't too concerned with.

"First of all I'm focused on my opponent and my fight. It's honestly not a matter for me. Of course everyone wants to be on TV, but I have to win my fight. It doesn't matter for me."

Ironically, if Arlovski can beat O'Brien and he secures a new deal with the UFC, he might be back in the position that he was expected to be in after beating Werdum: as top contender.

"In my fighting career, I've never asked to fight for the title, but it's up to UFC, so I don't know," he said. "If they decide I'm good enough for a title shot, I'm ready."

In the meantime, the Pitbull will savor being back where he belongs, in front of the crowd that loves him. During UFC 82's weigh-ins, one of the loudest ovations took place when he parted the backstage curtains and walked up to the scale.

Despite nearly a year away, the fans treated Arlovski like a returning hero. There is a love affair there, one born of the blood he's shed on the canvas, the titles he's captured, and the highlight reels he's filled since his 54-second debut win over Aaron Brink in November 2000. At the time, Arlovski was 21 years old and had no nickname, and Zuffa hadn't yet bought UFC and changed the fate of MMA history.

Since then, Arlovski and the UFC have grown together, and perhaps the investment they've made in each other will have a role in their continued association. But whatever the future holds, Arlovski is excited to hear the roar of the crowd, and the crowd is ready to hear the Pitbull roar back.

"I was very excited," he said of his reception at the weigh-in. "It means a lot for me. People were clapping, and it's a big deal for me. I really appreciate all my fans who stay with me after 11 months. It means a lot for me and I promise to them I'll show an exciting fight."

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