Sergei Vladimirovich Pavlovichis a Russian professional mixed martial artist. Pavlovich is a one-time champion of Russia in Combat Kung Fu.
He was also the former Fight Nights Global heavyweight champion and currently competes in the Heavyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of November 14, 2023, he is #3 in the UFC heavyweight rankings.
Career
Fight Nights Global
Pavlovich started his professional MMA career in 2014 under the Fight Nights Global promotion, under which he won 12 fights without suffering a single defeat. On June 2, 2017, in a fight against Mikhail Mokhnatkin, he won the heavyweight title by unanimous decision. On November 19, 2017, he defended his heavyweight title in a fight against Kirill Sidelnikov.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Pavlovich made his UFC debut on 24 November 2018 at UFC Fight Night 141 against Alistair Overeem. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
Pavlovich faced Marcelo Golm on April 20, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleinik. He won the fight via knockout. This win earned Performance of the Night award.
Pavlovich faced Maurice Greene on October 26, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 162. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.
Pavlovich was expected to face Ciryl Gane on August 8, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 174. Pavlovich however had to pull out because of an injury.
Pavlovich was expected to face Tom Aspinall on September 4, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 191. However, Pavlovich pulled out a week before the contest due to visa issues and was replaced by Sergey Spivak.
Pavlovich was scheduled to face Tanner Boser on December 4, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 31. However, due to travel issues, the bout was scrapped.
Pavlovich faced Shamil Abdurakhimov on March 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 204. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one. With this win, he received the Performance of the Night award.
Pavlovich fought Derrick Lewis on July 30, 2022, at UFC 277. He won the fight via TKO under a minute into the first round, though controversy arose as the stoppage by the referee was considered premature by fighters and fans alike.
Pavlovich faced Tai Tuivasa on December 3, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 42. He won the fight via KO under a minute into the first round. With this win, he received the Performance of the Night award.
Pavlovich faced Curtis Blaydes on April 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 222. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. This performance subsequently earned Pavlovich his fourth UFC Performance Of The Night award.
Pavlovich faced Tom Aspinall for the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship on November 11, 2023, at UFC 295. After a bit of a back and forth, Pavlovich was caught with a counter right hand and he lost the bout via knockout in the first round.
