Sergei Pavlovich is inching closer to the heavyweight title after registering his 6th consecutive win at UFC Vegas 71. He later made his thoughts clear that he wanted to fight for the title next. Now, after his win over Curtis Blaydes, Pavlovich has climbed up the rankings and overtook veteran Stipe Miocic.
Sergei Pavlovich has remained unbeaten since losing to Alistair Overeem in 2018. He lost the fight via a first-round TKO finish. However, he took it a mile further and bounced back from the setback by winning his next six fights by first-round TKO stoppages. His 6-fight winning streak is also a modern UFC record.
Sergei Pavlovich rises in the rankings
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Pavlovich’s dominant win over Curtis Blaydes has brought the Russian fighter closer to the title. In addition to that, he rose in the heavyweight rankings and has been placed second according to the latest update. He is just one position below the greatest of all time, Jon Jones. The rise in rankings comes after Pavlovich’s huge win last weekend. He wrote on Twitter: “Where’s my belt guys!”
Where's my belt guys! 👊 #ufc #sport pic.twitter.com/bEnqnNecyn
— Sergei Pavlovich (@SPavlovich13) April 25, 2023
The Russian ace also surpassed UFC legend Stipe Miocic in the rankings. ‘The Silencer’ has had two title reigns, and the most notable one was from 2016 to 2018. However, he has not been active for over two years now. It was only a matter of time before someone took his place in the rankings. Let us see what the UFC fans had to say about the change in rankings.
Fans react to Pavlovich’s rise in the rankings
One fan claimed that Pavlovich has beaten the majority of the top 5 heavyweights compared to Stipe Miocic.
he beat 3 top 5s in a row. while stipe have not put the work like all the other contenders
— KSI Fandom (@JJtheGoatKSIfan) April 25, 2023
There were a few fans who didn’t believe that a fight between Jon Jones and Sergei Pavlovich will come to fruition.
Feel like there’s no way Jones v Sergei ever happens
— Charlie Quinn (@CharlieQuinnMMA) April 25, 2023
Some fans believe that ‘Bones’ will humble the Russian ace if they ever fight.
What belt. Jones would humble u
— Clint R. Raymond (@CLINT_R_MMA) April 25, 2023
A few fans claimed that Sergei Pavlovich can only win the title after Jon Jones retires from the sport.
They will probably give it to you after Jon Jones retires
— Majed al7amdan 🇸🇦 (@Majedal7amdan) April 25, 2023
After Jones retires unfortunately
— ichrsmas8432 #tryingtomove (@ichrsmas8432) April 25, 2023
But there were several who stood in support of the Russian fighter and believe that the UFC will give him a title shot if he maintains his performances inside the octagon.
If you keep performing like you did in your last fights, you're getting it sooner rather than later!
— Sammy (@kando84) April 25, 2023
You haven’t earned it yet. You think you can beat Stipe?
— David Coston (@DavidCo74741228) April 25, 2023
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One fan believed that Sergei Pavlovich needs to beat Stipe Miocic to become a credible contender for the title.
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The newly crowned 2nd-ranked fighter made it clear that he wants the title, no matter whom he gets to face. In an astounding display of strike volume and precision, Pavlovich outclassed No.4 ranked Curtis Blaydes. It is only a matter of time before Dana White gives him the green light for a championship bout. What do you think?
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