Sergei Pavlovich Ready to Reassert Himself in UFC Shanghai
So, here’s the story with Sergei Pavlovich, and honestly, it’s a fascinating one if you’ve been following the UFC heavyweight division. After making a strong debut, Pavlovich quickly made waves by winning six straight fights, and he didn’t just win—he dominated. Most of his opponents didn’t even make it past the first round, and along the way, he dispatched some big names like Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes. Naturally, that streak earned him a shot at the interim heavyweight title at UFC 295. He started strong against Tom Aspinall, landing some early damage, but unfortunately, he couldn’t close the fight out and came up short.
When he returned seven months later, Pavlovich faced Alexander Volkov and things didn’t go smoothly. He was a bit tentative in the Octagon and ended up losing on the scorecards. Those two setbacks could have been crushing, but instead, they were used by Pavlovich as a chance to reflect and adjust. He’s openly talked about how those “misfortunes” forced him to rethink his approach, refine his technique, and rebuild mentally. And it seems that strategy worked. Earlier this year, he bounced back with a solid unanimous decision over Jairzinho Rozenstruik in Saudi Arabia. It was his first win on the scorecards in more than seven years and showed that he could pace himself and fight smart, not just rely on raw power.
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Now, Pavlovich is gearing up for another big challenge: facing Waldo Cortes-Acosta in Shanghai. Cortes-Acosta has been on the rise himself, starting strong in the Dana White’s Contender Series and building momentum in the UFC. He’s a disciplined fighter with solid boxing and wrestling defense, and while he’s only facing a Top 5 fighter for the first time, he’s already proven he can handle a tough fight. But Pavlovich isn’t underestimating him; in fact, he sees this as an opportunity to remind the newcomer that there are “levels to this” when it comes to elite competition.
Pavlovich has made it clear that while he loves quick finishes, he’s ready to go all three rounds if needed. He’s been practicing controlled, strategic fighting, mixing striking and wrestling, and focusing on maintaining his pace throughout. This shows a matured side of Pavlovich that fans haven’t always seen, especially after his early knockout streak. Cortes-Acosta’s durability and methodical style may force Pavlovich to be patient, but the Russian contender seems confident that he can impose his will and come out on top.
This fight isn’t just another bout on the card—it’s a defining moment. Pavlovich has been through ups and downs, learned from setbacks, and now he’s ready to demonstrate his full skill set again. Whether it ends in a quick knockout or a measured tactical win, one thing is clear: Sergei Pavlovich is determined to reassert himself among the UFC’s elite heavyweights.
The stage is set for UFC Shanghai, and fans are in for a heavyweight clash that could either be a masterclass from Pavlovich or the breakthrough moment for Cortes-Acosta. Either way, it’s going to be a fight worth watching.
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