UFC Fight Night Las Vegas tips: Sergei Pavlovich looks to secure a title shot against Curtis Blaydes
- Liam Hampton
- 21 April 2023
Heavyweight contenders Sergei Pavlovich and Curtis Blaydes face off in the main event of UFC Fight Night Las Vegas this weekend. Check out our preview, key stats and suggested bet for the fight.
Heavyweight contenders Sergei Pavlovich and Curtis Blaydes face off in the main event of UFC Fight Night Las Vegas, with the winner positioning themselves as the number one contender to the title.
Entering this bout with a career record of 17-1 and on a five-fight winning streak, Pavlovich faces the toughest test of his career when he meets Blaydes in the main event.
Pavlovich is a devastating striker, standing at 6'3" and weighing close to 255lbs, only Alistair Overeem has so far been able to withstand the Russian's punching power.
That bout with Overeem was his UFC debut and first career loss, ever since then he has returned to his pre-UFC ways winning all his fights by first round knockout.
Blaydes also enters this bout on the cusp of a title shot, however there are some worrying factors to account for when dealing with the Illinois native.
The first thing to address is all his career losses have come by knockout and although Francis N'Gannou and Derrick Lewis are two of the hardest hitters in UFC history, Pavlovich has similar power leaving Blaydes vulnerable to a knockout.
The other factor is Blaydes has suffered all these career losses at vital times.
The first of which was his UFC debut, his opportunity to show off his skills and make a statement in his new home, he lost the fight by second round doctors' stoppage.
His next two losses came at pivotal times in his career, sporting long win streaks with impressive finishes sprinkled in, Blaydes has lost two previous title eliminators to Francis N'Gannou in a rematch and then to Derrick Lewis.
If Pavlovich's speed and power can once again shine then he will secure his title shot against the winner of Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, if Blaydes can overcome the odds and use his world class wrestling it will be him stood in the octagon for a life changing experience.
Key stats
All of Pavlovich's UFC fights have ended in round one.
Blaydes hasn't fought since a 15 second cameo in London nine months ago against Tom Aspinall.
Suggested bets
Sergei Pavlovich to win by knockout.
