Sergei Pavlovich scored his sixth consecutive first-round knockout by defeating Curtis Blaydes at UFC Vegas 71, bringing his career record to 18-1 and cementing himself as a potentially fearsome contender in the heavyweight division.
The heavyweight division is facing a significant challenge in the form of Sergei Pavlovich, a Russian powerhouse who has made quite an impact on the sport. He recently secured his sixth consecutive first-round knockout in the UFC Vegas 71 main event, taking out Curtis Blaydes with a series of devastating punches that ended the fight in dramatic style.
The fight showcased Pavlovich’s jaw-dropping performance, as he stepped into the pocket and launched a leaping uppercut that snapped Blaydes’ head back as he fell towards the cage. Pavlovich quickly took advantage of the situation, unleashing a barrage of shots that eventually caused Blaydes to crumble under the pressure, just 3:08 into the opening round. With this victory, Pavlovich’s career record stands at an impressive 18-1, with all six of his UFC wins courtesy of first-round knockouts.
Following his victory, Pavlovich demanded recognition, shouting “Hey, where’s my belt? Big respect to Curtis Blaydes, he’s great, but somebody was saying he was going to easily take me down. What are you going to say now?” Heading into the match, Pavlovich’s ground skill was questioned due to his only UFC loss to Alistair Overeem in 2018. Blaydes, known as the best wrestler in the heavyweight division, decided to test himself against Pavlovich on his feet, ultimately leading to his defeat.