Pavlovich is the new heavyweight star.

At UFC 277, Sergei Pavlovich held one of the defending fighters for life. The fight with Derrick Lewis was supposed to introduce the fighter to the tops of the UFC – and Pavlovich did not disappoint: the paratrooper-knockout knocked out the American already in the 55th second, for placing the Texas podium with indignation.

Pavlovich is a puncher who is torn to the tops of the UFC. He knocked out Lewis in 55 seconds, avenging the Russian fighters. Then reworked to Mike Tyson to the whistle of the stands

Pavlovich is a relatively new name in the UFC heavyweight division. He signed a contract with the league back in 2018, but has only had four fights since then. Already in his debut, Pavlovich showed a technical knockout in the first round to Alistair Overeem, after which he scored three confident early victories. These were not big names that did not correspond to the honesty ratio of Shamil Abdurahimov, who was listed in the division’s rating, but was in a series of epidemics and defeats.

Therefore, Pavlovich became truly media only now, when he got Derrick Lewis, the 5th number in the rating, as a rival. Once upon a time, the 37-year-old puncher even fought for the title, but after the appearance of Tuivase in the meeting, there are risks of falling out of the tops.

It was a duel of knockouts, and all the experts – will not last long. Pavlovich is a 30-year-old and younger fighter who takes not natural, but quality punches. Sergey is not the fastest heavyweight, but at the same time he has concrete fists. Therefore, several hits are enough for Pavlovich to break the opponent’s defense.

Lewis and presence is a one-hit master. He can play the fight, seem passive, but only a chance is possible – the Black Beast puts out the light. Therefore, Derrick was dangerous for Pavlovich, although he approached the fight as an underdog.

Moreover, Lewis has a reputation as a thunderstorm for Russians in the UFC – before that, he had already knocked out Volkov, Oleinik and Abdurahimov. Many fans from Russia do not like Derrick’s behavior either – for example, before the fight with Oleinik, the American spat into Alexei’s food container.

And on the eve of the unexpected meeting with Pavlovich Lewis, an exceptional quote about Russia and Nazism came out:

“What is the strangest question I have ever been asked? Don’t know. To me, they are all weird. Like how I got my nickname Black Beast. I always think that they give such a question when they ask me for it – this is a lure. Especially when asked by foreigners. Because they automatically think of something racist. I try not to give them much food for all this… People from Russia, and all that – they are already born with the swastika badge.

However, the fight that Lewis has now shown is not a rival to Pavlovich, although it looked more dangerous in the battle of views. Sergey seized the initiative from the first second, put pressure on Derrick, and at the end of the first minute he discharged himself with a series in the nets. Severe illnesses entered the head of Lewis, who fell to the canvas, where the referee intervened, preventing Sergei from finishing off the American.

It was a spectacular victory – obviously, Lewis’s years were the best in the UFC. But the story of Pavlovich is just beginning – after such a quick knockout, he will definitely break into the top 10. Already in the octagon, Sergey gave an interview to Joe Rogan, turning to Mike Tyson, who was in the audience.

“I was ready to beat Lewis all five rounds, three rounds, whatever. I did a lot of work for this fight. Thanks to everyone who helps me. Mike, how do you like my boxing? Tell!” – joked under the whistle of the stands.

Because of politics, fans in the US always whistle to the Russians. But this time they outdid themselves: Lewis is from Texas, but played in his native audience for the second time in a row.

Not everything happened with Pavlovich’s victory – UFC tops consider the stoppage early. Volkov may be next for Sergei, but their coach does not want to be afraid of the Russians

Not everyone liked Pavlovich’s bright victory – many considered the stoppage early. After all, Lewis fell to the canvas, but did not turn off, and referee Dan Miragliotta did not allow Pavlovich to finish off the American.

“That was a bad stop!” Daniel Cormier posted on social media. Ngannou was carried over by the ex-champion: “It’s definitely an early stop.”

Perhaps Miragliotta was in a hurry, but this victory does not make Pavlovich less confident. Already in the exchange, it was noticed that Lewis was too slow, and under a flurry of blows, there was not a trace left of the strength of the American. Derrick offered to catch the revealed Pavlovich, but in the end he released the series himself.

And on the ground, Lewis had almost no chance – probably Sergei would have easily finished off. Therefore, Miragliotta intervened – although he provoked discussions of a late finish, and also gave Lewis a reason to make excuses.

Coach Taras Kiyashko, who prepared Pavlovich for salvation, believes that Sergey is now one of the best heavyweights on the planet.

“Sergey showed that he is one of the strongest heavyweights not only in Russia, but also in the world. He had a good fight and a plan for the fight. Sergei bouquet that hit and went to get. Yes, there was an exchange of blows, but when Sergey went to finish off, it was already clear that he hooked Lewis well. It’s not natural that Lewis is cunning,” Taras told Sports.ru.

Who can become Pavlovich’s candidate? An interesting question, because the elite has grown in heavyweight, which Sergey has not yet reached. Tuivasa is a good option, but in September he fights Gan. Miocic has to fight Jones, Aspinall got injured in the fight with Blades and was out for a long time, and Marcin Tybur’s number 9 is already booked for Alexander Romanov.

Only Blades himself remains, but he dreams of more top-end rivals. Or stuck in the middle of the rankings Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Alexander Volkov (7th and 8th rating numbers) – in June they fought each other, and the Russian won by knockout in the first round.

If we forget that Volkov and Pavlovich are compatriots, this fight looks the most logical. For the UFC, you usually have to push fighters from the same country – before Lewis, Pavlovich had already defeated Abdurahimov. But here it is more delicate, because Volkov is also Taras Kiyashko’s ward coach. The idea of ​​​​Alexander Pavlovich to prepare for the fight with Lewis, precisely imitating the style of the American.

“Anything is possible … It wouldn’t be, among the famous guys there is someone else to fight there. We are interested in the guys from the Gan-Tuivasa, Miocic pair,” Kiyashko said.

A photo: Eastern news/Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP