Pavlovich to face Alex Pereira at UFC event in US in December
In short
Russian heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich will fight Brazil's Alex Pereira at a UFC event in the United States in December, according to RIA Novosti and Kommersant. Kommersant said the bout is set for Las Vegas and that it gives Pavlovich a chance to move close to a UFC title fight. Pereira moved up to heavyweight after beating Magomed Ankalaev in an October rematch, but lost his heavyweight debut to France's Ciryl Gane, the paper reported.
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Russian heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich will fight Brazil's Alex Pereira at a UFC event in the United States in December, RIA Novosti and Kommersant reported. Kommersant said the bout will be held in Las Vegas and that it gives Pavlovich a chance to move close to a UFC title fight. [ 1 , 2 ]
Kommersant described Pereira as a genuine star of the promotion, a status he earned in the light heavyweight division (up to 93 kg). The Brazilian lost unexpectedly to Russian fighter Magomed Ankalaev in March, then won a convincing rematch in October in less than a minute and a half, after which he moved up to heavyweight, the paper reported. His debut in the division was unsuccessful: a defeat to France's Ciryl Gane. [ 2 ]
Pavlovich, described by Kommersant as one of the leading knockout artists among MMA heavyweights, was close to a title three years ago. The paper said he beat strong opponents including Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa and Curtis Blaydes, finishing six consecutive fights by knockout in the opening round, but never converted that form into a belt. [ 2 ]
According to Kommersant, a UFC bout between fighters ranked in the upper part of a division can decide not only the winner but also who becomes the next title challenger. The paper recalled that in April 2023, before a fight between the third- and fourth-ranked heavyweights, that status was considered the main stake, and Pavlovich beat Curtis Blaydes. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The bout puts a Russian heavyweight who has knocked out six straight opponents against one of the UFC's best-known names, in a division where Kommersant says fights between highly ranked fighters can decide the next title challenger. For Russian readers the December card is a rare chance to see Pavlovich fight for contender status; Kommersant's framing of the fight as a route toward a title shot, without stating it as certain, means the outcome shapes the UFC heavyweight picture.
Key facts
- Sergei Pavlovich will fight Alex Pereira at a UFC tournament in the United States in December. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Kommersant reported that the fight will take place in Las Vegas. [ 2 ]
- Pereira moved up from the light heavyweight division (up to 93 kg) to heavyweight after winning an October rematch against Russian fighter Magomed Ankalaev, and lost his heavyweight debut to France's Ciryl Gane, according to Kommersant. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant reported that Pereira lost unexpectedly to Ankalaev in March and won the rematch in October in less than a minute and a half. [ 2 ]
- Pavlovich finished six consecutive fights by knockout in the opening round, against opponents Kommersant named as including Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa and Curtis Blaydes, but did not win a UFC belt. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant said a UFC bout between fighters ranked in the upper part of the division can decide not only the winner but also who becomes the next title challenger. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant recalled that in April 2023, before a fight between the third- and fourth-ranked heavyweights, that contender status was considered the main stake, and Pavlovich beat Curtis Blaydes. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The exact date of the fight and the arena. Neither document gives a date or venue; Kommersant names only Las Vegas and December.
- Whether the winner becomes the next UFC heavyweight title challenger. Kommersant says such a fight “can” decide that status and does not state it as certain.
- The current rankings of Pavlovich and Pereira. Kommersant refers only to fighters from “the upper part of the rankings”, without positions.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RIA Novosti reports that Sergei Pavlovich will fight Alex Pereira at a UFC tournament in the United States in December. [ 1 ]
- Kommersant publishes a fuller account, saying the fight will be held in Las Vegas, that the winner could move towards contender status, and recalling both fighters' recent records. [ 2 ]