Sergei Pavlovich is beginning to make first-round knockouts look routine, even while picking up the biggest win of his career.
In the main event of UFC Fight Night 222 on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, the 30-year-old Russian (18-1) faced longtime heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes (17-4, 1 NC), with a future title shot very possibly at stake. The narrative entering the “UFC Vegas 71” headliner was that of wrestler Blaydes versus Pavlovich the striker, but the American made only one earnest attempt at bringing the fight to the canvas, a double-leg in the center of the cage which Pavlovich snuffed out with ease.