Curtis Blaydes vs Sergei Pavlovich — Fight recap

Sergei Pavlovich knocked out Curtis Blaydes via TKO in the first round at 3:08, establishing immediate striking dominance in their heavyweight clash. Pavlovich landed 36 significant strikes at 42% accuracy compared to Blaydes' 14 of 56 (25%), with a crucial knockdown that referee Marc Goddard deemed enough to stop the fight.

The Russian heavyweight targeted the head effectively, connecting on 30 of 78 head strikes while controlling the center and preventing Blaydes from implementing any grappling strategy—Blaydes managed zero takedowns on one attempt and generated zero control time. Pavlovich's aggressive, high-volume striking approach overwhelmed Blaydes' typically wrestling-based gameplan, showcasing the dangers of heavyweight power in the opening minute.

The loss marked a significant setback for Blaydes' title aspirations, while Pavlovich's explosive performance positioned him among the division's elite contenders.