Aussie UFC favourite Tai Tuivasa gets brutally busted up by Russian 'animal' Sergei Pavlovich
Tai Tuivasa is one tough human, so to make him look like a bloody mess is no small feat.
But that’s exactly what Russian star Sergei Pavlovich did at UFC Fight Night in Orlando inside a minute of the first round.
As many Tuivasa fights are, the Aussie cult hero’s matchup with the Russian was an all-out brawl from the get-go.
Bam Bam was keen to start swinging from the onset, and Pavlovich was more than happy to oblige.
Sergei Pavlovich takes Tai Tuivasa out in less than a minute
— MMA mania (@mmamania) December 4, 2022
pic.twitter.com/ygxU1JxPFw
However, as commentator Michael Bisping made clear, the Russian’s swings were just that more accurate.
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Bisping said: “That’s crisp and precise boxing.
“Devastating power. He’s clean, it’s not swinging or brawling. It’s very technical.”
Tuivasa was left an absolute mess with cuts, bruises, and blood pouring over his face in scenes that resembled a car crash.
Absolutely brutal.
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) December 4, 2022
Full credit to him though, you know exactly what you’re going to get from a heavyweight bout with Tuivasa, only this time he came up against a man that has been described as an ‘animal’.
Pavlovich landed an early right, with the Aussie fighting back, however, the 30-year-old did not take his foot off the gas, forcing a referee stoppage inside one minute of the first round.
The Russian improved his record to 18 wins and one loss and surely looks like a key threat in the heavyweight division.
Cormier said on commentary: “That’s what I mean, he has so much belief in his power that he’s willing to just throw caution to the wind.
“It is amazing to watch him and his approach. Look at the face of Tuivasa. A jab took him down and then Pavlovich swarms. Tuivasa tries to swing big and misses and Sergei makes him pay. Another Sergei Pavlovich washout. Unbelievable.”
Tuivasa knew what he was getting into as well when he accepted the challenge.
He told media earlier that week: “I suppose that’s why they offered him to me... everyone must be scared of him.”
And after what Pavlovich just did, fighters have every right to be scared.
The UFC world online was shocked by the absolute washout of a bout.
Jeeeeeeeeeez. Pavlovich is an absolute animal. #UFCOrlando
— Drake Riggs (@DrakeRiggs_) December 4, 2022
Sergei Pavlovich is a scary man. That was pure savagery. #UFCOrlando
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) December 4, 2022
Wow! Why this guy did Tuivasa like that?
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) December 4, 2022
Sergei Pavlovich just steamrolled Tai Tuivasa! That dude is a problem.
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) December 4, 2022
Heavyweights beware#UFCOrlando
Sergei Pavlovich TKOs Tai Tuivasa in the first round.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 4, 2022
Man hits like a truck. Sheesh.
Jayden Collins