Sergey Pavlovich knocked out Marcos Rogerio de Lima in just 39 seconds, extending his UFC record to seven knockouts—the most among Russian fighters in the promotion. After the victory, Pavlovich called for a title shot or number one contender fight, expressing readiness to face the winner of Ciryl Gane versus Alex Pereira.
Sergey Pavlovich wasted no time on May 30, 2026, demolishing Marcos Rogerio de Lima with a knockout in just 39 seconds to strengthen his case as one of the heavyweight division's most dangerous finishers.
The Russian knockout artist now holds seven UFC knockouts, the most of any Russian fighter in promotion history. Riding that momentum, Pavlovich wasted little time calling for a title shot or a number one contender bout, specifically naming the winner of the upcoming clash between Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira as a desired opponent.
De Lima, known as "Pezao," entered the bout at 41 years old carrying a professional record of 22-10-1. The Brazilian veteran, who trains out of American Top Team, brings a physical frame of six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach and had averaged 3.7 significant strikes landed per minute across his career, along with 1.4 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Gane, the number two ranked heavyweight in the UFC, is a six-foot-four French fighter out of MMA Factory who owns a 14-2 record at 36 years of age. His 81-inch reach and an exceptional striking accuracy of 61 percent — paired with 5.29 significant strikes landed per minute — make him one of the division's most technically refined competitors.
Pereira, meanwhile, holds the light heavyweight title with a record of 13-4. The 38-year-old Brazilian standout out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness carries a 62 percent striking accuracy and lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute, figures that reflect his elite combat sports background.
Why it matters
- Pavlovich's 39-second finish reinforces his standing as a legitimate heavyweight title contender
- A fight with Gane or Pereira would have significant divisional implications at heavyweight
- The Gane versus Pereira matchup now carries added weight, with a hungry Pavlovich waiting on the sidelines
