Sergei Pavlovich vs Tallison Teixeira records, style key stats, and prediction.

Sergei Pavlovich vs Tallison Teixeira brings a dangerous heavyweight matchup to UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Figueiredo on May 30, 2026, at Galaxy Arena in Macau. It is not the main event, but for heavyweight fans, this may be one of the most explosive fights on the card. Pavlovich enters as an established top contender, while Teixeira gets a major opportunity to test himself against one of the division’s most feared punchers.

This is a classic heavyweight crossroads fight. Pavlovich is trying to protect his place near the top of the 265-pound division. Teixeira is trying to prove he belongs with ranked UFC heavyweights after an eventful start to his Octagon run.

Latest Update on Sergei Pavlovich vs Tallison Teixeira

The fight is scheduled as a heavyweight bout on the UFC Macau card. Pavlovich enters with a professional record of 20-3, while Teixeira comes in at 9-1. Pavlovich is currently positioned as the No. 3 heavyweight, with Teixeira listed at No. 15, making this a high-risk, high-reward matchup for both men.

For Pavlovich, the danger is obvious. He is expected to beat a younger, less experienced fighter, but heavyweight MMA does not always reward expectations. For Teixeira, the opportunity is even bigger. A win over Pavlovich would instantly change the conversation around his ceiling.

Why This Fight Matters at Heavyweight

The UFC heavyweight division is built around power, timing, durability, and opportunity. One clean shot can change a fighter’s ranking, reputation, and title path overnight.

That is why Sergei Pavlovich vs Tallison Teixeira matters. Pavlovich has already fought elite heavyweights and remains one of the division’s most dangerous finishers. Teixeira, meanwhile, is a massive Brazilian heavyweight with finishing ability, youth, and physical tools that make him difficult to ignore.

This fight should answer a serious question: is Teixeira ready for a top-tier heavyweight, or is Pavlovich still too much, too soon?

Sergei Pavlovich Fighter Background

Sergei Pavlovich is one of the most powerful punchers in modern UFC heavyweight history. His official record stands at 20 wins and 3 losses, with 15 knockout wins. That finishing rate tells the story of his career: when Pavlovich finds range, opponents usually do not get much time to recover.

Pavlovich is an orthodox striker with fast hands for a heavyweight. He does not rely on wild swings as much as some power punchers. Instead, he often pressures behind straight punches, long-range boxing, and quick combinations.

His recent career has been about rebuilding momentum. After setbacks against elite opposition, Pavlovich returned to the win column with decision victories over Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Waldo Cortes-Acosta. His most recent win over Cortes-Acosta came by unanimous decision at UFC Shanghai.

Tallison Teixeira Fighter Background

Tallison Teixeira, nicknamed “Xicao,” is one of the more physically imposing heavyweights on the UFC roster. He is listed at 6-foot-7, with an 83-inch reach, and carries a professional record of 9-1.

Teixeira built his early reputation as a fast finisher. He made a strong UFC debut by stopping Justin Tafa in just 35 seconds, showing how dangerous he can be when he gets into close range with knees, elbows, and follow-up strikes.

However, the UFC heavyweight division quickly tested him. He suffered a first-round TKO loss to Derrick Lewis, then rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Tai Tuivasa at UFC 325. That Tuivasa fight was especially important because it showed Teixeira could win a longer, uglier heavyweight fight instead of relying only on fast finishes.

Sergei Pavlovich vs Tallison Teixeira Style Breakdown

This fight is about distance, durability, and who lands first with authority.

Pavlovich is the more proven boxer. He throws straighter shots, has better top-level experience, and carries knockout power in both hands. He is dangerous when moving forward, but he is also capable of hurting opponents with short counters.

Teixeira brings length, size, clinch strength, and a developing grappling game. At his best, he uses his frame to make opponents uncomfortable. If he can get Pavlovich backing up, tie him against the fence, and mix strikes with control, he can make this fight more complicated than a pure boxing match.

Still, standing at range with Pavlovich is dangerous business. Teixeira cannot simply rely on being bigger or longer. He needs a smart tactical approach.

Striking Analysis

Pavlovich has the cleaner boxing. His significant striking numbers show solid output for a heavyweight, and his power is proven across multiple UFC fights. He throws with speed, but more importantly, he throws with structure.

His jab and straight right are major weapons. If Teixeira backs up in a straight line, Pavlovich can close distance quickly and land the kind of shots that change the fight instantly.

Teixeira’s striking is different. He is not as polished as Pavlovich in open-space boxing, but he is dangerous in chaotic moments. His elbows, knees, and clinch strikes are serious threats because of his size and reach.

For Teixeira, the goal should be to make Pavlovich reset. He needs kicks, clinch entries, and body work to stop Pavlovich from marching forward comfortably.

Grappling and Wrestling

Pavlovich is not known as a grappling-first heavyweight. His best work happens on the feet, where he can apply pressure, punch, and finish. That does not mean he is helpless in wrestling exchanges, but he usually does not want long grappling sequences if he can avoid them.

Teixeira may have more incentive to test the clinch and ground game. Against Tuivasa, he showed he could use top control and grappling pressure to win rounds. That matters here because Pavlovich is most dangerous when the fight stays at boxing range.

If Teixeira can force clinch exchanges against the fence, he may slow Pavlovich down. If he cannot, he will have to survive long stretches against one of the hardest punchers in the division.

Cardio, Pace, and Fight IQ

Heavyweight cardio is always a key factor. Both men carry serious size, and every explosive exchange costs energy.

Pavlovich has recently shown he can go three rounds and still win decisions. That is important because earlier in his UFC run, he was known mainly for quick finishes. Those decision wins added a new layer to his profile.

Teixeira also answered a cardio question by going the distance with Tuivasa. Still, that fight also showed moments where fatigue became a factor. Against Pavlovich, tired defensive reactions could be dangerous.

The smarter fighter will likely be the one who manages risk better. At heavyweight, discipline is not boring — it is survival.

How Sergei Pavlovich Can Win

Pavlovich can win by keeping the fight at boxing range and making Teixeira pay for every slow entry.

His clearest path includes:

• Using the jab to control distance
• Pressuring Teixeira toward the fence
• Throwing straight punches before Teixeira can clinch
• Avoiding extended grappling exchanges
• Attacking when Teixeira resets
• Staying patient instead of chasing a reckless knockout

If Pavlovich finds his rhythm early, a knockout or TKO is very realistic.

How Tallison Teixeira Can Win

Teixeira can win by refusing to give Pavlovich the clean boxing match he wants.

His best path includes:

• Using long kicks to disrupt Pavlovich’s stance
• Entering the clinch behind strikes
• Making Pavlovich carry weight against the fence
• Mixing knees, elbows, and dirty boxing
• Testing takedowns when Pavlovich overcommits
• Extending the fight into later rounds

If Teixeira can survive the early danger and force Pavlovich into clinch-heavy exchanges, the upset becomes possible.

Possible Fight Outcome

The matchup favors Pavlovich because of experience, boxing sharpness, and proven knockout power against higher-level heavyweight opposition. Teixeira has real tools, but this is a major jump in danger.

The key danger for Pavlovich is allowing Teixeira to use size and clinch pressure. If he gets stuck against the fence or becomes too predictable moving forward, Teixeira can make the fight ugly.

Still, the safer prediction is Sergei Pavlovich by knockout or TKO. He is the more proven striker, the more experienced contender, and the fighter with the cleaner finishing weapons at this level.

Prediction: Sergei Pavlovich wins by first-round TKO.

Conclusion

Sergei Pavlovich vs Tallison Teixeira is a heavyweight fight with serious stakes. Pavlovich wants to hold his place near the top of the division, while Teixeira has a chance to announce himself as more than just a promising big man with finishing power.

Fans should watch the first five minutes closely. If Pavlovich controls range, Teixeira could be in trouble early. If Teixeira survives, clinches, and forces Pavlovich to work, the fight may become far more interesting.

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Key Information Section

• Fight: Sergei Pavlovich vs Tallison Teixeira
• Event: UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Figueiredo
• Promotion: UFC
• Weight class: Heavyweight
• Date: May 30, 2026
• Location: Galaxy Arena, Macau
• Fight status: Scheduled
• Sergei Pavlovich record: 20-3
• Tallison Teixeira record: 9-1
• Pavlovich ranking: No. 3 heavyweight
• Teixeira ranking: No. 15 heavyweight
• Pavlovich notable stat: 15 knockout wins
• Teixeira height/reach: 6-foot-7, 83-inch reach
• Recent Pavlovich result: Win over Waldo Cortes-Acosta
• Recent Teixeira result: Win over Tai Tuivasa
• Main storyline: Pavlovich’s proven knockout power vs Teixeira’s size, youth, and clinch threat