After bursting onto the UFC stage with six consecutive first-round finishes, Sergei Pavlovich rose to the brink of championship gold in record time. Wins over notable contenders such as Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes established him as one of the deadliest punchers in the heavyweight division. But setbacks against Tom Aspinall in an interim title fight and a follow-up loss to Alexander Volkov forced the Russian to reset.
Earlier this year, Pavlovich found his footing again in Riyadh, earning a decision win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik — his first time going the distance in more than seven years. For Pavlovich, the victory was as much about proving his durability and discipline as it was about adding another number to the win column.
“After two misfortunes, it was an important step mentally and physically to get back on track,” Pavlovich explained. “It gave me a chance to reevaluate things — the process, the technique, the approach. If something isn’t working, you have to fix it.”
Rather than the explosive one-round demolitions fans had come to expect, Pavlovich deliberately paced himself, securing unanimous 30-27 scorecards. The former streaking finisher showed he was willing to be pragmatic, learning to manage three rounds under pressure.
Now ranked No. 3, Pavlovich heads to Shanghai for his second fight of 2025, taking on Waldo Cortes-Acosta, a rising heavyweight from the Dominican Republic. A graduate of Dana White’s Contender Series, Cortes-Acosta has reeled off a series of wins, showing major improvements in boxing and takedown defense while notching victories over the likes of Lukasz Brzeski, Serghei Spivac, and Ryan Spann.
Pavlovich respects Cortes-Acosta’s progress but expects to remind him of the gulf in class at the elite level. “His boxing and his wrestling defense are his strengths,” Pavlovich noted. “But this is the first time he’s facing someone in the Top 5.”
For Pavlovich, the matchup represents both a chance to defend his position and an opportunity to recapture the aura of menace that made him a feared name among heavyweights. While he would relish a quick finish, the experienced contender is prepared to grind another full-distance performance if necessary.
“Of course we like exciting fights and fast finishes,” he said. “But I’m ready for all three rounds. I’m excited — Saturday is the chance to show my level once again.”
