Sergei Pavlovich tipped to defeat Jon Jones in rumored UFC title fight: ‘When he hits, his opponents fall’

Sergei Pavlovich backed to beat Jon Jones in UFC title fight when he hits opponents fallStreaking heavyweight contender, Sergei Pavlovich has been backed to provide a wholly stern test to division champion, Jon Jones ahead of a rumored clash – with UFC lightweight kingpin, Islam Makhachev recounting a prior training session with his compatriot. Pavlovich, the current number two ranked heavyweight challenger, has six-fight undefeated run since dropping his promotional […]

Sergei Pavlovich backed to beat Jon Jones in UFC title fight when he hits opponents fall

Streaking heavyweight contender, Sergei Pavlovich has been backed to provide a wholly stern test to division champion, Jon Jones ahead of a rumored clash – with UFC lightweight kingpin, Islam Makhachev recounting a prior training session with his compatriot.

Pavlovich, the current number two ranked heavyweight challenger, has six-fight undefeated run since dropping his promotional debut to former title challenger, Alistair Overeem back in 2018.

Last featuring atop a UFC Vegas 71 card back in April of this year, Sergei Pavlovich stopped perennial heavyweight contender, Curtis Blaydes with a slew of opening round strikes.

As for Jones, the Endicott veteran has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 285 back in March of this year, landing vacant division gold with a dominant first frame guillotine choke win over former interim titleholder, Ciryl Gane.

Expected to fight once more this year before potentially calling time on his decorated career, Jones, the current pound-for-pound number one under the banner of the organization, has been linked to fights with both Stipe Miocic, as well as the aforenoted, Pavlovich for an expected UFC 295 card in November at Madison Square Garden.

Enjoying a roughshod run through opponents en route to his expected title siege in the near future, Pavlovich has been backed to provide a real challenge to Jones should he have the opportunity to fight him next.

“It will be heard, but (Sergei) Pavlovich is able to deal with anyone,” Islam Makhachev said of a fight between Sergei Pavlovich and Jon Jones in an interview translated by YukaHero. “I worked with Sergei when he was AKA. We worked together on the ground. He has crazy strength. He pushed me away so hard. I even injured my neck – physically, gifted guy.”

“The difference in weight was round 30 kilograms,” Makhachev explained. “We trained together on the ground. When Pavlovich hits, his opponents fall.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Sergei Pavlovich boasts a stunning knockout record

18-1 as a professional, boasting a stunning 15 career knockout wins, Pavlovich has landed notable Octagon stoppage wins over the likes of Shamil Abdurakhimov, Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa, and the above-mentioned, Blaydes. 

‘Strong rumors’ suggest Jon Jones, Sergei Pavlovich title fight targeted for UFC 293 in Australia

Jon Jones vs. Sergei Pavlovich rumored for UFC 293 card in Australia title fightFormer middleweight and light heavyweight title challenger, Chael Sonnen, has claimed that he has heard “strong” rumblings that a fight between undisputed heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, and surging knockout artist, Sergei Pavlovich is currently “pursued” for a UFC 293 pay-per-view card on September 10. in Syndey, Australia. Sonnen, a former UFC and Bellator contender turned […]

Jon Jones vs. Sergei Pavlovich rumored for UFC 293 card in Australia title fight

Former middleweight and light heavyweight title challenger, Chael Sonnen, has claimed that he has heard “strong” rumblings that a fight between undisputed heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, and surging knockout artist, Sergei Pavlovich is currently “pursued” for a UFC 293 pay-per-view card on September 10. in Syndey, Australia.

Sonnen, a former UFC and Bellator contender turned analyst and podcast host, revealed that he had been hearing rumors of a potential heavyweight title fight between Jones and Russian heavyweight knockout ace, Pavlovich for the promotion’s return ‘Down Under’.

Chael Sonnen plays up September clash between Jon Jones and Sergei Pavlovich

Initially Jones was earmarked to return at UFC 295 in November at an annual Madison Square Garden event – taking on the returning former two-time titleholder, Stipe Miocic, however, according to Sonnen, that bout is now “up in flames”.

“I’m hearing strong rumors that Stipe (Miocic) and (Jon) Jones is going to go up in flames and that Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jones is happening in August,” Chael Sonnen told Thiccc Boy. “Strong enough that I can tell you that’s at least being pursued. I don’t know where they are in agreeing, but that’s at least being pursued. And if you did have partners in Australia, you promised them ‘Izzy’ (Israel Adesanya) and you said, ‘Look, I can’t deliver but I can bring you Jones and Pavlovich, are we good?’ They’d probably says, ‘Yeah, we’re good.’”

“I have to give jon Jones credit, I really do and that pains me,” Sonnen explained. “I got to give him credit here because people have said he was going to fight Stipe then he was going to retire. It’s like wll, hold on, people. Let me remind you of one thing. When you talk about the mindset, you talk like Jon Jones doesn’t have the courage, let me just remind you he thought he was fighting Francis (Ngannou), he agreed to fight Stipe, and he ended up in there with Ciryl (Gane).” (Transcribed by MMA Mania)

Ciryl Gane eyes September return after UFC 285 title defeat, future fight with Sergei Pavlovich

Ciryl Gane eyes September return to UFC future fight with Sergei PavlovichCiryl Gane is eyeing a return to the Octagon two months removed from his shocking first-round submission loss at the hands of Jon Jones. With the UFC heavyweight championship vacated following the departure of former titleholder Francis Ngannou, Ciryl Gane was once again the recipient of an opportunity to capture his first piece of UFC […]

Ciryl Gane eyes September return to UFC future fight with Sergei Pavlovich

Ciryl Gane is eyeing a return to the Octagon two months removed from his shocking first-round submission loss at the hands of Jon Jones.

With the UFC heavyweight championship vacated following the departure of former titleholder Francis Ngannou, Ciryl Gane was once again the recipient of an opportunity to capture his first piece of UFC told. Standing in his way would be Jon Jones, the former 205-pound king who was making his long-awaited heavyweight debut. Fans expecting a back-and-forth striking war instead were left stunned after ‘Bones’ locked in a guillotine choke, forcing Gane to submit just past the two-minute mark of the very first round.

Since then, ‘Bon Gamin’ has been working to improve his game en route to another potential UFC title opportunity down the line. Speaking with James Lynch, Ciryl Gane’s coach and the proprietor of MMA Factory in France, Fernand Lopez, revealed that they are targeting a return in September. As for who they expect to face, Lopez suggested streaking heavyweight knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich.

“Sergei Pavlovich would be a good opponent,” Lopez suggested.

Could Ciryl Gane End Sergei Pavlovich’s Impressive Knockout Streak?

The 18-1 Russian standout is currently riding a six-fight win streak inside the Octagon, all coming via knockout in the very first round. In his most recent appearance, Pavlovich dispatched Curtis Blaydes in just over three minutes during a UFC Fight Night main event in April. Prior to that, he earned KOs over notable heavyweight stars including Derrick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa.

The victory over Blaydes moved Pavlovich into the No. 2 spot on the heavyweight rankings, one spot behind one-time interim champion Ciryl Gane. Previously, Pavlovich indicated he would wait for the winner of a potential heavyweight showdown between titleholder Jon Jones and general consensus heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic. The probability that both of those fighters hang up their gloves once their fight is in the books could encourage Pavlovich to take another fight in the division before securing his inevitable title opportunity.

Would you like to see Ciryl Gane take on Sergei Pavlovich later this year?

Jon Jones believes he has nothing to gain from facing Sergei Pavlovich; ‘No one knows who he is’

Jon JonesJon Jones believes there is nothing to gain by fighting streaking heavyweight contender Sergei Pavlovich. After scoring his sixth-straight first-round knockout against Curtis Blaydes last month, fans immediately began clamoring for Pavlovich to get the next heavyweight title opportunity over the inactive and borderline-retired Stipe Miocic. While most fight fans, including Pavlovich himself, have acquiesced […]

Jon Jones

Jon Jones believes there is nothing to gain by fighting streaking heavyweight contender Sergei Pavlovich.

After scoring his sixth-straight first-round knockout against Curtis Blaydes last month, fans immediately began clamoring for Pavlovich to get the next heavyweight title opportunity over the inactive and borderline-retired Stipe Miocic. While most fight fans, including Pavlovich himself, have acquiesced to the fact that Stipe Miocic is the next man up, it appears that a matchup pitting reigning heavyweight champion Jon Jones and the Russian juggernaut is simply not in the cards.

After Stipe Miocic, It’s Francis Ngannou or Likely Nothing at All for Jon Jones

In an interview with Fox Sports Australia, Jon Jones revealed that retirement would likely be his next step following a potential heavyweight title superfight with the division’s general consensus GOAT Stipe Miocic. Bones’ did leave the door cracked open for a return to the Octagon, but it’s going to take either an enticing matchup with former titleholder Francis Ngannou or a truckload of cash.

“Everyone is talking about Sergei Pavlovich. And Sergei is a huge challenge. But no one knows who he is,” Jones said. “In the grand scheme of things, no one knows who he is. I think (US fight analyst) Luke Thomas said it best, saying ‘high risk, very low reward’, where you could fight a guy like Francis Ngannou and get the whole world. It would be worth the risk, worth the money, all of it.

“So who knows? Maybe the UFC will come with the right numbers and we can make this Sergei thing happen. But as of right now, I got all the accolades, nothing to really prove. But Francis would keep me really excited to keep it going.”

With Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic ready to hang up the gloves for good, the likeliest scenario will see Sergei Pavlovich sitting on the sidelines for an opportunity at a title that will likely be vacant by the time he competes for it. Some have suggested a potential clash with two-time title challenger Ciryl Gane is the next match to make for Pavlovich, but it would be an unnecessary risk for the Russian.

Pavlovich is already the next man in line. Why risk taking another fight near the top of the division after already doing more than enough to earn a shot at UFC gold?

Sergei Pavlovich tipped to pose serious threat to UFC champion Jon Jones: ‘He’s mentally tough’

Sergei Pavlovich mentally tough enough to beat UFC champion Jon JonesOff the back of his stunning UFC Vegas 71 knockout win over Curtis Blaydes last weekend, surging heavyweight contender, Sergei Pavlovich has once more been tipped to pose a legitimate challenge to heavyweight kingpin, Jon Jones’ throne. Pavlovich, who moved to #2 in the official heavyweight rankings off the back of the new update this […]

Sergei Pavlovich mentally tough enough to beat UFC champion Jon Jones

Off the back of his stunning UFC Vegas 71 knockout win over Curtis Blaydes last weekend, surging heavyweight contender, Sergei Pavlovich has once more been tipped to pose a legitimate challenge to heavyweight kingpin, Jon Jones’ throne.

Pavlovich, who moved to #2 in the official heavyweight rankings off the back of the new update this week, headlined UFC Vegas 71 over the course of the weekend against perennial division contender, Blaydes, landing a one-sided first round TKO triumph.

The victory moved the Russian to 18-1 as a professional, and extended his winning streak to six consecutive fights, following an Octagon debut knockout loss of his own against Alistair Overeem back in 2018. 

Enjoying a roughshod run through top-tier heavyweight contenders over the last year, before his knockout win over Blaydes, Sergei Pavlovich, a former M-1 Global heavyweight gold holder stopped the duo of Derrick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa – both inside the opening minute of the first round.

Sergei Pavlovich touted as legitimate threat to champion, Jon Jones

Tipped to lay in wait for his shot at heavyweight gold ahead of an expected title affair between the aforenoted, Jones, and former champion, Stipe Miocic, Pavlovich has been touted as a danger to the current champion’s new reign by boxing expert and renowned coach, Teddy Atlas.

“[Sergei Pavlovich] showed why he’s a force to be reckoned with, and showed why, for me – I’d love to see him with Jon Jones,” Teddy Atlas said on his YouTube channel. “That would be very interesting. He’s got the physical strength and the ability, and seems like he’s developed enough technique to make it interesting in the striking department with Jones. And he’s got one other thing you can recognize that I think is the most important part.” 

“He’s mentally tough enough to make it interesting, where [Ciryl] Gane, quite frankly – and I’m not picking on somebody who’s down or kicking someone while they’re down – but Gane wasn’t mentally tough enough. I think he showed that when he lost to [Francis] Ngannou. Jones was good in not only the physical areas, but the mental area. That’s where is separates for me. Pavlovich, I think he would be strong enough mentally, to make it competitive with Jones.” (Transcribed by MMA News

Sergei Pavlovich willing to wait for UFC title fight against Jon Jones, Stipe Miocic next: ‘I’ll eat, I’ll rest’

Sergei Pavlovich willing to wait for UFC title shot with Jon Jones Stipe Miocic I'll eatUFC heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich believes he has done enough to earn a title shot, and is willing to wait for his opportunity. This past weekend at UFC Vegas 71, Pavlovich faced what was predicted as his toughest opponent thus far in his UFC career, but once again the Russian succeeded. If there’s one thing Curtis […]

Sergei Pavlovich willing to wait for UFC title shot with Jon Jones Stipe Miocic I'll eat

UFC heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich believes he has done enough to earn a title shot, and is willing to wait for his opportunity.

This past weekend at UFC Vegas 71, Pavlovich faced what was predicted as his toughest opponent thus far in his UFC career, but once again the Russian succeeded.

If there’s one thing Curtis Blades has achieved in recent years, it is the fact that he has out-wrestled almost every heavyweight presented his way, but yet again Pavlovich was able to make quick work of his opponent.

The 18-1 heavyweight made it a total of 15 career knockouts, finishing off Blades to make it a streak of 6 consecutive first round knockouts.

Following Jon Jones masterful return at UFC 285, the scene was set in stone for an opening title defence against Stipe Miocic, who Jones personally requested.

Although with Pavlovich tearing through the heavyweight division with shades of Francis Ngannou during his come-up, it is undeniable that the 30-year-old has one goal in mind in the shape of a belt.

Not only did Pavlovich make it look easy in the octagon, but he was seen as cool as a cucumber sitting alone playing slots in a Las Vegas casino just hours before his fight.

Sergei Pavlovich willing to wait for his shot at UFC gold

As Sergei Pavlovich quickly grows as a fan favourite, he said he is not in a rush to demand his title shot despite his goal of achieving it.

“I’ll rest, I’ll eat. I’ll sleep. I’ll rest some more. I’ll wait,” Sergei Pavlovich said following UFC Vegas 71.

Former heavyweight champion Miocic has not fought since his devastating knockout defeat to Ngannou, but he has a major task ahead of him against the heavily acclaimed MMA goat, Jones.

In his long awaited return, Jones handed Ciryl Gane the first loss by finish in his MMA career, and Dana White said the next heavyweight battle for gold will likely be held at Madison Square Garden.

Pavlovich may become increasingly confident in his abilities with yet another win in the column, but he does not downplay the achievements nor the capabilities of the two collosols fighting later this year.

“I wouldn’t say that either of them would be an easy fight,” Sergei Pavlovich said. “I mean, they’re both hard warriors, so I would have to prepare for whoever it is, then be ready for whoever they give me.”