Sergei Pavlovich returned to dominant form at UFC Macau, finishing Glover Teixeira in just 39 seconds. Song Yadong submitted Deiveson Figueiredo with a guillotine choke late in the second round, with the finish reflecting the influence of his Team Alpha Male coach Urijah Faber, who recorded seven guillotine victories in his own career. Menshang Minyang was stopped by Johnny Menifiled in the co-main event despite entering as a significant favorite, continuing his pattern of struggling in fights that go past the first round. The card produced nine finishes from thirteen bouts, seven of them in the opening round, and performance bonuses went to Menifiled, Minyang, Yadong, and Ricky Simon-replacement Asaura.
Sergei Pavlovich announced his return to form in the most emphatic fashion at UFC Macau, knocking out Glover Teixeira in just 39 seconds to headline a card that produced nine finishes from thirteen bouts. Song Yadong added to the carnage in the co-main event, submitting Deiveson Figueiredo with a guillotine choke late in the second round.
Teixeira, 46, carries a professional record of 33-9-0 and has long been one of the more durable and dangerous veterans in the sport. The Brazilian stands six-foot-two with a 76-inch reach and connects at a 49 percent striking accuracy rate, but he had no answer for Pavlovich on the night, falling inside the opening minute.
Figueiredo, ranked fifth in the bantamweight division, came in with a record of 25-6-1 and a reputation as a well-rounded threat. The 38-year-old Brazilian connects at a 53 percent striking accuracy rate and attempts 1.2 submissions per 15 minutes, yet it was Yadong who secured the submission. The finish carried a notable training-room footnote: Yadong's Team Alpha Male coach Urijah Faber, himself a seven-time guillotine finisher across a 35-11-0 career, is credited as an influence on the technique.
Elsewhere on the card, Menshang Minyang was stopped by Johnny Menifiled in the co-main event despite entering as a heavy favorite. The defeat continued a reported pattern of Minyang struggling in bouts that extend beyond the first round.
Why it matters
- Pavlovich's 39-second finish reestablishes him as a heavyweight title threat after a difficult stretch
- Yadong's submission victory over a ranked bantamweight contender in Figueiredo elevates his divisional standing considerably
- Menifiled's upset of the favored Minyang reshuffles the picture in their weight class
- Performance bonuses were awarded to Menifiled, Minyang, Yadong, and Asaura, who stepped in as a late replacement for Ricky Simon
