Sergei Pavlovich knocked out Glover Teixeira just 39 seconds into their fight at UFC Macau. The victory brings Pavlovich's total to seven knockouts in UFC, the most among Russian fighters in the promotion. After the win, Pavlovich called for a title shot or number one contender fight, stating he is ready to face the winner of Gane vs Pereira.
Sergei Pavlovich delivered another stunning finish at UFC Macau, stopping veteran Glover Teixeira just 39 seconds into their heavyweight bout to cement his reputation as one of the division's most dangerous knockout artists. The win pushed Pavlovich to seven career knockouts inside the UFC, the most recorded by any Russian fighter in the promotion's history. Following the finish, Pavlovich made his intentions clear, calling for a title shot or a number one contender bout and expressing readiness to face whoever emerges from the upcoming clash between Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira.
Teixeira, 46, entered the fight carrying a 33-9 record and decades of elite-level experience. The Brazilian veteran, who trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, is a former UFC champion known for his grappling, averaging 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career. Standing six-foot-two with a 76-inch reach, Teixeira has always been a credible threat, but the sheer speed of Pavlovich's finish left him little opportunity to impose his style.
The two fighters Pavlovich is targeting occupy very different spaces in the heavyweight landscape. Ciryl Gane, ranked second in the division, is a 36-year-old French striker out of MMA Factory who stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach. The orthodox stylist lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at an accuracy rate of 61 percent, making him one of the most technically refined heavyweights in the world. Alex Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion, holds a 13-4 record and carries a similar offensive output, connecting at 62 percent accuracy with 5.16 significant strikes per minute. Pereira would be moving up to heavyweight to take that fight.
Why it matters
- Pavlovich's seven UFC knockouts set a benchmark among Russian fighters in the promotion
- A win over either Gane or Pereira would position him as the undisputed top contender at heavyweight
- The stylistic matchup against Gane — two high-volume strikers with elite accuracy — would be a legitimate title eliminator
- Pereira competing at heavyweight would mark a significant divisional shift with title implications across two weight classes
