Pawel Pawlak defeated Mamed Khalidov by TKO in the final second of the fourth round in a middleweight title bout. The victory marked Pawlak's fourth successful defense of his middleweight championship. The dramatic finish came at the very end of round four, showcasing Pawlak's ability to secure the stoppage under pressure. Details on the specific promotion or full event card are not provided in the post. The win continues Pawlak's reign as middleweight champion.
Pawel Pawlak successfully defended his middleweight championship by stopping Mamed Khalidov via TKO in the final second of the fourth round, delivering one of the most dramatic finishes possible in a title contest on April 19, 2026.
Pawlak, now 12-3-0, is a 37-year-old Orthodox striker from Poland who trains out of Octopus Lodz. Standing six feet tall with a 73-inch reach, he has built his championship reign on controlled, persistent pressure rather than high-volume output, averaging 1.67 significant strikes landed per minute at 33 percent accuracy. His takedown presence adds another layer to his game, with one takedown per 15 minutes keeping opponents honest on the feet. The stoppage of Khalidov marked his fourth successful defense of the middleweight title, cementing his status as one of the division's most durable and resilient champions.
Khalidov, a veteran whose career accomplishments speak for themselves, was unable to survive the championship rounds as Pawlak found the finish with virtually no time remaining on the clock.
Why it matters
- Four title defenses cements Pawlak as a long-reigning divisional champion, a rare achievement at any level of the sport
- The late stoppage demonstrates Pawlak's championship mettle, finishing a dangerous opponent when most would have settled for a decision
- Defeating a fighter of Khalidov's pedigree adds significant credibility to the reign and raises the bar for any future challengers
