Thiago Teixeira believes Sergei Pavlovich has significant gaps in his jiu-jitsu game. Teixeira stated that Pavlovich relies heavily on his punching power and plans to exploit the weaknesses he has identified in the Russian's ground game.
Thiago Teixeira has set his sights on a specific game plan against Sergei Pavlovich, publicly declaring that the Russian heavyweight's grappling represents a exploitable vulnerability.
Teixeira stated that Pavlovich leans almost entirely on his knockout power and that he intends to take the fight to the ground to expose weaknesses he has identified in the Russian's jiu-jitsu. The Brazilian did not elaborate on the specific circumstances under which the two would meet, but the comments signal a clear strategic vision.
The target of that analysis, Pavlovich, is currently ranked third in the UFC heavyweight division. The 34-year-old southpaw out of Eagles MMA carries a professional record of 20-3-0 and brings elite striking credentials into any matchup. Standing six-foot-three with a reach of 84 inches, he lands 4.43 significant strikes per minute at 44 percent accuracy — numbers that reflect the finishing power Teixeira referenced. His grappling output, by contrast, tells a different story: Pavlovich averages just 0.48 takedowns per 15 minutes and has recorded zero submission attempts per 15 minutes across his career, lending statistical weight to the assessment Teixeira offered.
Why it matters
- Pavlovich is a top-three heavyweight, meaning any fight involving him carries direct title-contention implications
- His near-zero submission attempt rate and modest takedown output appear to support Teixeira's public scouting report
- A grappling-focused challenger could present a stylistic problem that Pavlovich's power striking alone may not solve
