Sergei Pavlovich Record: 21-3-0

UFC knockout run

From that defeat, Pavlovich became one of the most destructive forces in the division. He rebounded with a 2019 first-round knockout of Marcelo Golm, then stopped Maurice Greene later that year. After a long layoff, he returned in March 2022 to blitz Shamil Abdurakhimov, then delivered his signature run: a first-round TKO of former title challenger Derrick Lewis at UFC 277, a first-round knockout of Tai Tuivasa, and a first-round demolition of top contender Curtis Blaydes in April 2023 that pushed him to the brink of a title shot.

Title challenge and rebuild

That streak earned Pavlovich an interim heavyweight title fight at UFC 295 in November 2023 against Tom Aspinall, but he was caught and stopped by knockout in the first round. He then dropped a unanimous decision to fellow Russian veteran Alexander Volkov in June 2024, leaving questions about where he stood among the contenders. Pavlovich answered with two composed three-round decision wins, over Jairzinho Rozenstruik and unbeaten Waldo Cortes-Acosta, before returning to form in May 2026 with a first-round TKO of fast-rising prospect Tallison Teixeira.

Fighting style

Pavlovich is, first and last, a knockout machine. He owns a 21-3 record with 16 of his wins by knockout, and at his peak he strung together one of the most violent finishing runs the heavyweight division has seen, all of his marquee UFC wins coming in the opening round. His length and reach let him land long, accurate punches in combination, an uncommon technical edge among heavyweights, and his Greco-Roman base underpins his balance and ability to stay upright. His losses are instructive: both KO defeats came against elite finishers in Overeem and Aspinall, while the Volkov decision exposed the questions about his pace and adaptability over 15 minutes. Recent wins by decision suggest a fighter rounding out beyond his early-finish identity.

Career highlights

• UFC interim heavyweight title challenger — earned a championship shot against Tom Aspinall at UFC 295 on the strength of a dominant knockout streak.
• First-round knockout streak — stopped Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa and Curtis Blaydes all in the opening round, a run of finishes that vaulted him into title contention.
• 16 wins by knockout — one of the most concussive punchers in the division, with a 21-3 record built on early stoppages and a rare technical striking game for a heavyweight.