Sergei Pavlovich: The Underrated UFC Heavyweight Destined for Glory
A Performance of the Night Machine
Sergei Pavlovich is one of the most dominating heavyweights in the UFC and the most underrated.
Despite being a staple in the UFC main event, he has yet to fight for a title, which is a travesty.
However, as UFC betting odds suggest, it shouldn’t be long until the 31-year-old Russian gets his chance.
An Imposing Record
Pavlovich owns an impressive 19-1 record, so to think he hasn’t earned a title shot is beyond comprehension.
He made his UFC debut against a drugged-up Alistair Overeem in 2018, where he suffered his only loss. However, he bounced back with six consecutive wins, including four Performance of the Night awards.
The big-hitting fighter has been pummelling fighters left and right, including some of the biggest names in the heavyweight division.
His last seven wins have come by knockout, including taking 55 seconds to knock out Derrick Lewis and 54 seconds to knock out Tai Tuivasa.
He then defeated Curtis Blaydes without much fuss in April, so there is no doubting his top-level ability.
Title Fight Coming?
If Sergei Pavlovich doesn’t get the next title match against Jon Jones, there is something wrong with the UFC matchmakers.
UFC analyst and former fighter Chael Sonnen believe Jones vs Stipe Miocic isn’t going ahead, which opens the door for Pavlovich.
“I’m hearing strong rumors that Stipe and Jones are going to go up in flames and that Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jones is happening in August,” Sonnen said. “Strong enough that I can tell you that’s at least being pursued. I don’t know where they are in agreeing, but that’s at least being pursued.”
We think he deserves a title fight, and he has a good chance of beating Jones, who will try to grapple the knockout artist.
15 of Pavlovich’s wins came by knockout and none by submission, so that’s Jone’s best chance of holding onto his title.
Continuing Russian Dominance
Although Sergei Pavlovich isn’t one of the Dagestan fighters, he is Russian, and they are dominating the UFC.
Many of the best UFC fighters in the organization are from Russia, and Pavlovich’s name isn’t being brought up enough, so we think he deserves more recognition.
If he was an American, he could be held on the same pedestal as the likes of Jones, so expect to see more media coverage should defeat Jones for the heavyweight title.
At worst, he provides plenty of excitement. He’s unlikely to win or lose by decision, so it should end in a knockout, which goes against the Russian mentality of grappling first, and everything else later.
He owns plenty of accolades, including holding the longest first-round knockout streak, which stands at six. He also landed the second-most significant strikes per minute in UFC history with 8.72.
He’s a fighter everyone should know, and we expect that to be the case in the future. His name will be on a top-billing pay-per-view card in due course.
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