Sergei Pavlovich has returned to sparring just over a week after his fight with Teixeira, impressing training partners with his sheer physical strength. Sparring partner Walter Walker described a session in which Pavlovich defended a takedown attempt and slammed Walker headfirst into the mat using brute force rather than technique. Walker recounted that the session included six grueling rounds against a roster of heavyweight sparring partners, with Pavlovich among the toughest.
Sergei Pavlovich wasted little time getting back to work. Less than two weeks after his fight with Glover Teixeira, the Russian heavyweight was already deep into sparring camp, putting training partners through a punishing series of rounds at Eagles MMA.
Sparring partner Walter Walker offered a vivid account of one session, describing a moment when Pavlovich defended a takedown attempt not with refined technique but with sheer brute strength, slamming Walker headfirst into the mat in the process. Walker said the day included six grueling rounds against a rotation of heavyweight partners, and that Pavlovich ranked among the most physically overwhelming of them all.
The display is consistent with what the 34-year-old Russian brings to competition. Standing six-foot-three with an 84-inch reach, Pavlovich is one of the most physically imposing fighters in the Heavyweight division. Ranked third in the world, he carries a professional record of 20-3 and lands an average of 4.43 significant strikes per minute at a 44 percent accuracy clip — numbers that reflect both his volume and his finishing instincts. He has never recorded a submission attempt in his UFC career, relying almost entirely on his striking arsenal to inflict damage.
Why it matters
- A rapid return to sparring suggests Pavlovich suffered no significant damage from the Teixeira bout and is keeping himself active in a competitive heavyweight landscape.
- Ranked third at heavyweight, Pavlovich remains in prime position for a title shot, and staying sharp in the gym keeps him relevant in those conversations.
- His physical dominance in training — overpowering partners with raw strength rather than wrestling craft — underlines the kind of threat he poses even in situations where opponents try to take the fight to the ground.
