Ex-Heavyweight title challenger snaps two-fight skid at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia

Sergei Pavlovich dropped Jairzinho Rozenstruik en route to a decision victory at UFC Saudi Arabia.

Christopher De Santiago | Feb 1, 2025

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Sergei Pavlovich is back but better than ever? Not really.

Pavlovich Outworks Jairzinho Rozenstruik

It's no secret the Russian destroyer lost some of his aura recently, dropping two fights in a row to Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov. Pavlovich had won six fights in a row but was simply dominated in an interim title fight and what came after it.

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We didn't see the Pavlovich of old at UFC Saudi Arabia, the top contender pitted against Jairzinho Rozenstruik, taking a more measured approach to the fight. Patience and precision were Pavlovich's keys to victory.

HEAVY HANDS ALERT 🚨@SPavlovich13 vs @JairRozenstruik

Watch #UFCSaudiArabia NOW on @ESPNPlus

[ @RiyadhSeason | #RiyadhSeason ] pic.twitter.com/0VuFyADrBY
— UFC (@ufc) February 1, 2025

Both men hesistant to throw at times, Pavlovich did hurt his opponent when he decided to throw, controlling him on the ground after knockdowns.

Pavlovich played it relatively safe on the ground, not doing too much real damage there. The Russian boasted the obvious power advantage, a grizzled veteran in Rozenstruik just getting by to see the distance.

Back to winning ways 👏@SPavlovich13 wins by UD at #UFCSaudiArabia

[ @RiyadhSeason | #RiyadhSeason ] pic.twitter.com/aPueJL5E3v
— UFC (@ufc) February 1, 2025