Arlovski to take on Nelson at EliteXC-Affliction card

Arlovski, a former UFC champion, is coming off a tremendous stoppage of Ben Rothwell in July and was slated to fight Josh Barnett in his next bout. Nelson, the IFL titleholder when the company folded earlier this year, has won five in a row since dropping a split-decision to Rothwell in April 2007. He was set to take on Jay White.

The EliteXC-Affliction co-promotion became real 10 days ago when negotiations to place the fight on CBS became serious, said EliteXC vice president JaredShaw.

"It was a big opportunity to put on a fight all EliteXC officials thought was a great fight," Shaw said.

Both Arlovski (13-5) and Nelson (13-2) will be paid under the terms outlined in their Affliction contracts.

As part of the newfound relationship between EliteXC and Affliction, said Shaw, EliteXC-signed fighters would be free to pursue sponsorships from the popular clothing brand. That is a reversal from the position EliteXC took earlier this year when Affliction announced its move into the fight promotion business.

"Philosophies changes when you find partners that have the same business mind and can work together," Shaw said.

EliteXC's initial stance mirrored Zuffa's, which still prohibits Affliction clothing sponsorships for fighters under UFC and WEC contracts.

The Oct. 4 card from the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., now features five live fights. Leading off the card, middleweights Benji Radach and Murilo "Ninja" Rua square off. Popular female fighter Gina Camano returns to face Kelly Kobold-Gavin. The Affliction co-promoted bout between Arlovski and Nelson comes next, followed by Jake Shield's EliteXC welterweight title defense against Paul Daley. And the night's main event pits Kimbo Slice against veteran Ken Shamrock.