Sergei Pavlovich back in the gym days after Teixeira fight, ragdolls sparring partner

Sergei Pavlovich wasted little time getting back to work after his bout with Glover Teixeira, returning to the gym just over a week after the fight and immediately jumping into hard sparring sessions.

Pavlovich, 34, holds a 20-3-0 record and is currently ranked third in the UFC heavyweight division. The six-foot-three Russian southpaw out of Eagles MMA carries an 84-inch reach and is one of the most feared strikers in the weight class, averaging 4.43 significant strikes landed per minute. His visit back to the gym was anything but a light tune-up, according to those who shared the mat with him.

Heavyweight Walter Walker described a punishing six-round session in which Pavlovich physically picked him up and threw him to the mat — not through polished technique, but through sheer brute force. Walker said the impact left him feeling as though he had been nearly destroyed by the experience.

Teixeira, the 46-year-old Brazilian veteran carrying a 33-9-0 record, is no stranger to wars himself. Fighting out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, the six-foot-two orthodox fighter owns a 76-inch reach and has long been one of the most well-rounded heavyweights in the sport, averaging 3.73 significant strikes per minute alongside 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Pavlovich's rapid return to hard sparring signals strong physical recovery following a high-profile heavyweight clash
• Ranked third at heavyweight, Pavlovich remains in contention near the top of a crowded and competitive division
• The raw power on display in training underlines why his 84-inch reach and physical gifts make him a dangerous matchup for anyone at heavyweight