Sergei Pavlovich demolished Glover Teixeira in just 39 seconds at UFC Macau. Pavlovich now has seven knockouts in the UFC, the most among Russian fighters. After the victory, he called for a title shot or title eliminator against the winner of Gane vs. Pereira.
Sergei Pavlovich needed just 39 seconds to finish Glover Teixeira at UFC Macau, delivering a devastating knockout that underlined his position as one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the world.
Pavlovich, 34, improved his record to 20-3-0 with the finish, pushing his UFC knockout total to seven — the most of any Russian fighter in the promotion's history. The Eagles MMA product stands six-foot-three with a massive 84-inch reach and generates an impressive 4.43 significant strikes per minute. Ranked third in the heavyweight division, he wasted no time making his case for a title shot, calling out the winner of the upcoming bout between Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira following his victory.
Teixeira, the 46-year-old Brazilian veteran, entered the fight at 33-9-0 and brought considerable experience and a well-rounded skill set to the contest. Fighting out of an orthodox stance at six-foot-two with a 76-inch reach, he has averaged 3.73 significant strikes and 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes over his career. On this night, however, Pavlovich's power proved insurmountable before Teixeira could put any of those tools to use.
Why it matters
- Pavlovich's seventh UFC knockout sets a record among Russian fighters in the promotion and reinforces his standing as a legitimate title contender at heavyweight.
- A win over a former light heavyweight champion carries significant weight, even at this stage of Teixeira's career, and strengthens Pavlovich's argument for a title eliminator.
- The callout of the Gane-Pereira winner positions Pavlovich directly in the title picture, with his southpaw striking style and exceptional reach making him a difficult stylistic puzzle for any heavyweight.
