Pawel Pawlak successfully defended his middleweight championship for the fourth time by defeating Mamed Khalidov via TKO in the final seconds of the fourth round. The dramatic finish came at the very end of round four in what was a title fight. This victory marks Pawlak's fourth successful title defense, solidifying his position as middleweight champion. The late stoppage made for a thrilling conclusion to the championship bout between the two fighters.
Pawel Pawlak secured a dramatic fourth successful defense of his middleweight championship, stopping Mamed Khalidov via TKO in the dying seconds of round four to retain his title on April 19, 2026.
Pawlak, 37, continues to cement his legacy as the division's premier champion. The Polish fighter, who trains out of Octopus Lodz, carries a professional record of 12 wins and 3 losses and stands six feet tall with a 73-inch reach. He operates out of an orthodox stance and averages 1.67 significant strikes landed per minute, supplementing his striking with a steady takedown threat at one per 15 minutes. The late finish underscored his ability to remain dangerous deep into a championship fight, converting a finish when it mattered most despite the bout running nearly the full distance of round four.
Khalidov, a veteran opponent with a long and decorated career in European MMA, pushed Pawlak to the brink before the champion found the stoppage. No verified statistical data for Khalidov is available in the current record, so further breakdown of his numbers is not possible here.
Why it matters
- Pawlak's fourth title defense places him firmly among the most accomplished champions in his organization's middleweight history
- The late TKO finish demonstrates his finishing ability remains sharp at 37 years old, an age when many fighters see their edge diminish
- The rivalry with Khalidov, a respected name in the region, adds weight to the victory and raises the profile of Pawlak's championship reign
