Sergei Pavlovich: It seems like the audience has forgotten who I am
The quick loss to Tom Aspinall did not diminish Sergei Pavlovich’s inherent danger as a heavyweight knockout machine.
Sergei Pavlovich has fallen behind in the championship race, at least for now, with Jon Jones, the current heavyweight champion, planning to defend his title against Stipe Miocic. Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall, the interim titleholder, is set to face Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 next month.
The knockout Pavlovich suffered from Tom Aspinall at UFC 295 has led many fans to believe that the Russian fighter may not be ready for the throne. At UFC on ABC 6 tomorrow, Pavlovich will face compatriot Alexander Volkov, providing him with an opportunity to remind fans and maintain his championship ambitions.
“Surely, in fights you will find ways to solve problems, learn more about yourself. You sharpen yourself to be better every day. I think we all change and develop more than before.”
“I feel like I’ve been forgotten (in the race). I have a fight on Saturday, we’ll see how it goes. A fight that I must win. You can plan, but things change constantly. What needs to be done now is that I have to win to wait for what’s next.”
Sergei Pavlovich still possesses the instincts of a fearsome knockout machine
Despite the outcomes of the fights between Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, Tom Aspinall, and Curtis Blaydes, it is crucial for Pavlovich to deliver an impressive performance.
Currently, above Pavlovich in the heavyweight division is only Ciryl Gane, who hasn’t fought since September last year. Alexander Volkov, Pavlovich’s opponent tomorrow, is the only fighter in the Top 15 with a winning streak. A victory against his compatriot is the key for Pavlovich to enter the title race in the latter half of 2023.
Sergei Pavlovich holds some formidable records that a UFC fighter can aspire to:
Longest winning streak with first-round knockouts in UFC history (6 fights).
Second-longest winning streak with knockouts in UFC history (6 fights, tied with Don Frye and only behind Chuck Liddell’s 7 fights).
Highest average knockdown rate per 15 minutes in UFC history (5.9).
Third-highest effective strikes landed per minute in UFC history (8.21).
Second shortest average fight time in UFC history (2 minutes 13 seconds, behind only Tom Aspinall’s 2 minutes 10 seconds).
