Sergei Pavlovich once again proved to be one of, if not the most dangerous contender in the UFC heavyweight division.
The Russian extended his knockout streak to six fights with a first-round victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC Fight Night 222.
It was an impressive victory coming around the three-minute mark with his left jab proving to be the game-changer.
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The win earned him the Performance of the Night accolade and signalled yet another win inside the first round.
It’s the second-longest knockout fight streak in UFC history and it has left many to believe the 30-year-old to be the true number one contender to Jon Jones’ title.
Bones is slated to take on Stipe Miocic at some stage this year for the heavyweight championship, however, many have made their mind up on who Jones’ toughest opponent will be.
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One wrote: “Francis Ngannous vs Sergei Pavlovich would have been so fun. AND it should be Sergei vs Jon Jones in November. Deserved more than Stipe right now.”
Another said: “Guys I f***ing love Stipe but Sergei should be next for Jones. He is legit the #1 contender. No way you can justify a title shot for Stipe over Sergei right now.”
A third added: “Make Jon Jones vs Sergei Pavlovich, not Stipe Miocic.”
While we do seem to be on a collision course for Jones vs Miocic, fans have come to their conclusions on how a matchup against Pavlovich would end.
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One said: “Like it or not, Sergei Pavlovich would chin Jon Jones in round 1.”
Another commented: “Sergei Pavlovich f***ing mauls Jon Jones after that showing.”
A third quipped: “All of us are looking forward to Sergei knocking Jon Jones out cold aren’t we?”
Even Welterweight fighter Matt Brown agreed, saying: “I’m calling it. Sergei beats Jon Jones.”
After the Russian’s performance fans will be hoping Jones’ battle with Stipe won’t be his last in MMA.
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The former light heavyweight champ hinted at retirement which sent fans into a meltdown.
Bones commented on the possibility of fighting in his home state, and went one step further by admitting it would be ‘cool’ to finish his career there.
He tweeted: “How cool would it be to spend my retirement fight dominating the greatest heavyweight of all time, in my home state at Madison Square Garden?”
Although, with some convincing from fans online it seems as though Bones may have changed his tune.
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He replied to one fan who had told him they weren't ‘ready for your retirement’.
He replied: “OK my bad, I’ll keep fighting.”
We need to see Sergei vs Jones before that happens.
Jayden Collins