LAS VEGAS, NV — Sergey Pavlovich will be waiting for his title.
Pavlovich got another first-round knockout last night (Saturday, April 22, 2023) when he finished Curtis Blades with punches at UFC Vegas 71 from inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas (highlights to watch). Blaydes’ knockout is Pavlovich’s sixth in a row and is a record in modern UFC history, and he is currently tied with Don Fry for the most consecutive KOs in UFC history.
The Russian fighter also received a $50,000 “performance bonus” for the knockout.
Most people saw the fight between Pavlovich and Blades as the number one contender fighting for the UFC Heavyweight Championship, which Jon Jones will hopefully defend later this year against Stipe Miocic.
When asked how long the 30-year-old Russian is willing to wait for the title, he made it quite clear.
“I’m going to rest. I’m going to eat. I’m going to sleep. I’m going to rest more,” Pavlovich said through an interpreter during the UFC Vegas 71 post-fight press conference.
In fact, if the knockout artist intends to wait, he won’t fight for another year, with Jones vs. Musick currently being planned for November at Madison Square Garden.
I think he will eat, sleep and rest a lot.
For full UFC Vegas 71 results and coverage, click here here.