Sergey Pavlovich finished Glover Teixeira with a knockout just 39 seconds into their fight. The victory gives Pavlovich seven knockouts in the UFC, the most among Russian fighters. After the win, Pavlovich called for either a title shot or number one contender fight, stating he is ready to face the winner of Gane versus Pereira.
Sergey Pavlovich bulldozed through Glover Teixeira in just 39 seconds, finishing the Brazilian veteran with a knockout to extend his dominant run in the UFC heavyweight division.
The win gives Pavlovich seven knockouts inside the UFC, the most recorded by any Russian fighter in the promotion's history. Coming off the finish, Pavlovich made his intentions clear, calling for either a title shot or a number one contender bout and placing himself squarely in line to face the winner of the upcoming matchup between Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira.
Teixeira, 46, entered the bout with a 33-9 record and remains one of the most decorated fighters to have competed at the top of the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions. The six-foot-two Brazilian, who trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, averages 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes and has shown consistent grappling output throughout his career, but he never had the opportunity to implement any of that here.
Gane, ranked second in the heavyweight division, represents the technical striking threat in the matchup Pavlovich is angling toward. The 36-year-old Frenchman out of MMA Factory stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach and lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at a 61 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the most precise heavyweights on the roster.
Pereira, meanwhile, holds the light heavyweight title at 13-4 and brings comparable striking volume at 5.16 significant strikes per minute with a 62 percent accuracy rate. The 38-year-old Brazilian, also out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach.
Why it matters
- Pavlovich's 39-second finish strengthens his case as the most dangerous heavyweight finisher in the UFC's Russian contingent
- A title shot or number one contender bout would insert him directly into the championship picture at heavyweight
- The Gane versus Pereira winner will now have Pavlovich as an immediate and vocal challenger waiting
