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Tom Aspinall wants Sergei Pavlovich next: ‘It’s the most exciting fight in the heavyweight division’

Heavyweight standout Tom Aspinall believes his next fight will be against Russian knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich. Following his 13th career first-round finish against Marcin Tybura in July, Tom Aspinall has emerged as a potential superstar in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Now sitting in the No. 4 spot in the top-10 rankings, many fight fans are […]

Heavyweight standout Tom Aspinall believes his next fight will be against Russian knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich.

Following his 13th career first-round finish against Marcin Tybura in July, Tom Aspinall has emerged as a potential superstar in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Now sitting in the No. 4 spot in the top-10 rankings, many fight fans are wondering what could be next for the surging title contender.

Appearing on a recent episode of UFC Unfiltered, Aspinall suggested that the most exciting, and most logical fight for him would be a clash with Sergei Pavlovich.

“I think it’s going to be Pavlovich who I fight next if you ask me. That’s it. That’s the ideal situation, me and Pavlovich,” Aspinall said.”

“I think it’s the most exciting fight in the heavyweight division right now. I believe that right now I have the shortest average time in the UFC, and he has the second-shortest average time, which is wild. Stick us two in the cage and see what happens. It’s going to be absolutely insane” (h/t MMA Junkie).

Like Tom Aspinall, Sergei Pavlovich has a penchant for finishing his opponents in the opening round. In fact, Pavlovich has finished his last six opponents in the first five minutes, dispatching some impressive names including Derek Lewis, Tai Tuivasa, and most recently, Curtis Blaydes. Occupying the No. 2 spot in the rankings, many fight fans have Pavlovich being the next man to challenge for the heavyweight title.

Tom Aspinall Has No Idea How Things Will Play Out in the Division Following UFC 295

As it stands the heavyweight division is in a bit of a holding pattern with reigning champion Jon Jones set to defend the title against the division’s general consensus GOAT Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 in November. Rumors have been swirling that Jones, Miocic, or potentially both men could announce their retirement following the fight, opening the door for Aspinall and Pavlovich to step up and compete for the vacant crown.

But no matter what happens inside Madison Square Garden next month, Tom Aspinall has no interest in waiting around for his shot at UFC gold.

“That’s the big question, and we’re in a bit of a strange situation with the heavyweight division right now,” Aspinall said. “Usually it’s who’s going to win the fight. In this situation, it’s who’s going to win the fight and who’s going to retire. Are they both going to retire? Or is no one going to retire? What’s going to happen?

“My path to the heavyweight title is – I don’t know. I’m not one of them guys who wants to sit out and wait my turn. That’s not really my scene. I’m not looking past anybody. If I’m healthy, I’m ready to go. I’ll fight anybody. I’m willing to do whatever I can or whatever it takes to prove to everybody and myself that I deserve to be the heavyweight champion. I know I can do it.”

Junior dos Santos expects Sergei Pavlovich to ‘Dominate’ the heavyweight division: ‘Hell be a star’

Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos sees Sergei Pavlovich one day ruling over the division. Pavlovich has established himself as one the breakout stars of the UFC’s heaviest weight class courtesy of six straight first-round knockouts against some of the division’s most formidable foes, including Curtis Blaydes, Tai Tuivasa, and Derrick Lewis. On the […]

Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos sees Sergei Pavlovich one day ruling over the division.

Pavlovich has established himself as one the breakout stars of the UFC’s heaviest weight class courtesy of six straight first-round knockouts against some of the division’s most formidable foes, including Curtis Blaydes, Tai Tuivasa, and Derrick Lewis. On the cusp of scoring his first shot at UFC gold, Junior dos Santos believes it’s just a matter of time before the heavy-hitting Russian is dominating the division.

“I had the opportunity to train with him and he’s really tough, brother,” dos Santos said on an episode of MMA Fighting’s Trocação Franca podcast. “He’ll scare a lot of people in there. He’ll be a star, he’ll dominate this division soon, and he’s only getting better.”

Reigning heavyweight champion Jon Jones will put his title on the line this November when the promotion returns to the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, for UFC 295. In the main event, ‘Bones’ will put his strap on the line against heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic, but no matter who comes out on top, both men could find themselves fading away into retirement, leaving the promotion without a heavyweight champ.

Enter Jailton Almeida, a fast-rising contender who has earned four straight finishes, including a first-round submission over Jairzinho Rozenstruik in his last outing. Almeida will attempt to earn his fifth win in a row when he meets perennial contender Curtis Blaydes on November 4.

Many fans believe ‘Malhadinho’ is destined to be the next big thing in the heavyweight division, but Junior dos Santos can’t look past the impressive ability of Sergei Pavlovich, particularly after spending some time in the gym together.

“‘Malhadinho’ is doing great as well in every sense and I hope he continues to do so,” dos Santos said. “But I had the personal experience of training and whatnot, to know how hard it is to train with Pavlovich, and that’s why I’m saying this. He’s super tough, you know? But we obviously see the work ‘Malhadinho’ has put in and it’s impressive. I think he’ll always be at the top as well. It’s going to be an interesting battle. The heavyweight division is going through a great moment, especially after Jon Jones’ arrival.”

Junior dos Santos Sees Stipe Miocic Giving ‘Bones’ His Greatest Challenge

Jon Jones is already being dubbed the greatest mixed martial artist in the history of the sport. That’s an undoubtedly difficult statement to argue against, but if there’s one man out there who can pose a legitimate danger to Jones’ legacy, it’s the two-time heavyweight world champion.

“If there’s anyone who can give Jon Jones a challenge right now, that’s Stipe Miocic,” dos Santos said. “I admire Stipe a lot, he’s a great fighter with a solid wrestling background. UFC and Dana White made the right call. This is a fight that will excite all the fans, and I won’t miss it. It makes all the sense.”

Junior dos Santos stepped inside the Octagon with Stipe Miocic on two separate occasions, the first coming in 2014 with ‘Cigano’ walking away with a unanimous decision victory. Three years later, they would run it back at UFC 211. This time, Miocic would even the series scoring a first-round knockout.

“In my career, I think the one that hit me the hardest was Miocic — that I [still] had consciousnesses. The others, I slept,” dos Santos said with a laugh. “I think he brings great danger to Jon Jones. And we don’t need to talk about Jon Jones, he’s incredible.

“Jon Jones is the favorite against anyone, obviously. He’s exceptional, never lost in his career, and this is a fight you can’t miss.”

Tom Aspinall ready to turn his attention toward Sergei Pavlovich if Ciryl Gane fight doesn’t pan out

Fast-rising heavyweight contender Tom Aspinall has been targeting a fight with Ciryl Gane, but if he can’t get ‘Bon Gamin’ to sign on the dotted line, the British striking standout is more than willing to turn his attention toward fellow knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich. Gane re-established himself as a formidable foe at the top of […]

Gane re-established himself as a formidable foe at the top of the heavyweight rankings on Saturday night, securing an absolutely dominant win over Sergei Spivac in the UFC Paris main event. With Gane serving as something of a gatekeeper for the division following two failed attempts to reach the top of the mountain, multiple fighters have targeted the Frenchman, including Tom Aspinall.

A winner in six of his seven appearances under the UFC banner, Aspinall is on the cusp of title contention. He only needs one big win to get him there and Ciryl Gane is the perfect opponent to give him that opportunity. Unfortunately, he’s not so sure that Gane is keen on accepting a fight with him.

“I’m no bully,” Aspinall told TheMACLife. “If he doesn’t want the fight, I’m not going to try and force it on him. I wanted to go in the cage. The UFC didn’t want me to go in the cage. Yeah, if he wants the fight, it’s here. If he doesn’t want the fight, we’ll see. I know I’m a bad matchup for him. I think that stylistically it’s a good matchup for me, but if he doesn’t want it, then I understand.”

Tom Aspinall Ready to Fight Anyone That Gets Him a Title Opportunity

If the fight with Ciryl Gane doesn’t pan out, Tom Aspinall already has another name in mind.

“Well, that only leaves one guy left: the big Russian fella who nobody wants,” Aspinall said. “I’m happy to step up and take that. Like I’m more than happy to fight Sergei Pavlovich. I was supposed to fight two times before. The fights didn’t happen for whatever reason. Yeah, let’s do it. I’m happy to fight anyone that gets me close to the title” (h/t BJPenn.com).

Sergei Pavlovich had his own coming out party in April, scoring a vicious first-round knockout against Curtis Blaydes to claim the No. 1 spot in the heavyweight rankings. It was the Russian’s sixth-straight first-round finish, moving him to 6-1, the same record that Tom Aspinall currently carries inside the Octagon. Aspinall also has six finishes with the UFC, five of them coming in the first round.

On paper, both fights are incredibly intriguing and fans will undoubtedly be thrilled no matter which one the UFC opts to go with.

Who would you like to see Tom Aspinall step into the cage against in his highly anticipated return?

Tom Aspinall eyes title decider fight with UFC knockout king Sergei Pavlovich: ‘I want what he’s got’

Returning triumphantly from a catastrophic knee injury in July of last year, surging English heavyweight contender, Tom Aspinall has sights set on fighting for contender supremacy against current number one ranked challenger, Sergei Pavlovich. Aspinall, the current number four ranked heavyweight contender, managed to return from his above-mentioned sidelining back in July against Polish veteran, […]

Aspinall, the current number four ranked heavyweight contender, managed to return from his above-mentioned sidelining back in July against Polish veteran, Marcin Tybura, defeating the former M-1 Global champion with a first round knockout win.

As for Pavlovich, the streaking knockout artist most recently landed a first round TKO win of his own over common-foe, perennial contender, Curtis Blaydes back in April – earning the number one rank in the division and a post-fight Performance of the Night bonus to boot.

Tom Aspinall eyes title eliminator with Sergei Pavlovich after UFC Paris

And staking his claim for a stunning heavyweight title fight against incumbent division best, Jon Jones after the Endicott native’s title defense return against former gold holder, Stipe Miocic in November at UFC 295 – Aspinall admitted he wants to land the number one rank in the weight class in a decider against Pavlovich.

“Sergei Pavlovich – very easy question – very, very easy question,” Tom Aspinall told Eurosport when asked who he would like to fight next after UFC Paris. “I want what he’s got. I want to be the number one contender.”

As for other contenders atop the heavyweight pile, former interim heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane turned in another impressive victory in the main event of UFC Fight Night Paris last night – stopping a common-foe to Aspinall; Sergei Spivak with a dominant second round TKO win at the Octagon fence.

For Pavlovich, while Atherton native, Aspinall wants to fight the streaking Russian, the former has been earmarked to serve as the official backup fighter to Jones’ return against Miocic at UFC 295 in November to boot.

Would you like to see Tom Aspinall fight Sergei Pavlovich next?

Sergei Pavlovich expected to serve as backup to Jon Jones, Stipe Miocic title fight at UFC 295 in November

Surging knockout artist, Sergie Pavlovich is expected to serve as an official back up fighter to November’s undisputed heavyweight title fight between champion, Jon Jones, and former two-time division titleholder, Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 in November at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Pavlovich, the current number one ranked heavyweight contender, most recently […]

Pavlovich, the current number one ranked heavyweight contender, most recently cemented his status as the top contender in the weight class back in April, earning a Performance of the Night bonus with a stunning first round TKO win over perennial contender, Curtis Blaydes.

Sergei Pavlovich set to serve as backup to UFC 295 title fight in November

And according to a report from MMA Fighting, sources confirmed to them how Russian contender, Sergei Pavlovich will serve as an official backup to the UFC 295 headliner, following an initial report from Russian reporter, Igor Lazorin.

18-1 as a professional, Pavlovich, whose sole professional loss came in the form of a first round ground strikes TKO loss to former title challenger, Alistair Overeem in his 2018 bow under the UFC banner, has since managed to embark on an impressive six-fight winning run.

The former Fight Nights Global heavyweight gold holder enjoyed an impressive calendar year en route to his number one rank in the division, landing a quartet of knockout wins over Shamil Abdurakhimov, as well as former title challenger, Derrick Lewis, incoming UFC 293 co-headliner, Tai Tuivasa, and the above-mentioned, Blaydes.

As for currently slated event headliners, Jones and Miocic – the duo have been linked with a potential retirement from mixed martial arts competition regardless of result in November at UFC 295, with the two enjoying stellar, gold-laden professional mixed martial arts careers.

However, fans have clamored for Jon Jones, in particular, to attempt a heavyweight title defense against Sergei Pavlovich, if and when the Endicott native defends his crown against Ohio veteran, Miocci at UFC 295.

Will Sergei Pavlovich’s services be required at UFC 295 later this year?

Tai Tuivasa reflects on brutal KO loss to Sergei Pavlovich ahead of UFC 293: ‘The first hit, I knew I was f*cked’

Slated to make his Octagon return against towering Russian striker, Alexander Volkov in the co-main event of UFC 293 in September, hometown favorite, Tai Tuivasa has claimed that after his opening exchange with Sergei Pavlovich en route to a first round knockout loss at UFC Orlando back in December, he was essentially “f*cked”. Tuivasa, the […]

Tuivasa, the current number six ranked heavyweight contender under the banner of the promotion, has been booked to make his Octagon return at UFC 293 in September in Sydney, Australia – taking on former Bellator MMA and M-1 Global heavyweight champion, Volkov in a return ‘Down Under’.

Suffering his second consecutive KO loss in his December defeat against surging number one ranked contender, Pavlovich, Tuivasa had headlined UFC Paris in September of last year against former interim titleholder, Ciryl Gane, suffering an eventual third round KO loss to the Frenchman in the pair’s Fight of the Night effort.

Tai Tuivasa reflects on UFC Orlando KO loss last December

And detailing his experience against the surging, Pavlovich last December in ‘The Sunshine State’, Tuivasa admitted that candidly, he was in serious acrimony in the opening exchange with the bruiser.

“That one [fight with Sergei Pavlovich], I was maybe a bit rushed,” Tai Tuivasa told The Halfcast Podcast. “But, I still trained hard. The camp was all right – I was fit. Really, all that fight was down to was who hit who first. And, I was obviously trying to hit him first, but he hit me with the first hit, and I knew I was f*cked.”

“I was just like, ‘F*cking hell,’” Tai Tuivasa explained. “Then I come back and I tired to throw another big hit and then I did this, a 360 spin. I was like, ‘That is not what my head wanted,’ I was already dizzy and then did a full spin. Then it was just I hoped something hit him.”

Tag: Sergei Pavlovich