Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Sergei Pavlovich returned to the Octagon on Saturday at UFC Saudi Arabia in a battle of top 10 heavyweights.
After scoring back-to-back wins against Shamil Gaziev and Tai Tuivasa in his last two outings, Rozenstruik is looking to make it three in a row and take another step toward a potential title opportunity in 2025. Standing in his way was Pavlovich, a Russian knockout artist determined to climb back into the win column after coming up short in his last two outings.
Round 1
Rozenstruik lands a low kick early followed by another as Pavlovich tries to close the distance. Pavlovich swings with a left and misses the mark, but he comes back with a right hand that connects. Rozenstruik once again lands with the low kick. Pavlovich throws a combination, but Rozenstruik ducks under and avoids the danger. Rozenstruik continues to attack the lead leg of Pavlovich. Rozenstruik jabs to the body. Pavlovich offers up a looping overhand right that partially connects. Pavlovich lands with another booming right, but thus far, Rozenstruik is doing a good job of moving his head.
Pavlovich throws another right hand that appears to take Rozenstruik off balance allowing Pavlovich to land an easy takedown with a minute to go in the round. Pavlovich rides out the round on top, peppering his opponent with some ground and pound.
Round 2
Both fighters come out cautious in the opening minute and Pavlovich connects with a front kick to the midsection of Rozenstruik. ‘Bigi Boi’ misses with a left, but connects with a calf kick as fans are starting to grow frustrated with the lack of action. Pavlovich lands a right and Rozenstruik fails to connect with the counter. Pavlovich connects with a right during a striking exchange that sits down Rozenstruik.
Pavlovich follows his opponent to the mat and ends the round in the exact same position as the first, landing ground and pound strikes until the horn sounds.
Round 3
An early exchange sees Pavlovich land with a glancing left hand before getting out of the way of Rozenstruik’s counter. Rozenstruik comes back with a left hand of his own that gets through the guard of Pavlovich, but the Russian lands a nasty jab before securing his third takedown of the fight with more than three minutes to go in the round.
After two and a half minutes, Rozenstruik got back to his feet but was unable to land a knockout shot before the final second ticked off the clock.
Official Result: Sergei Pavlovich def. Jairzinho Rozenstruik via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Check Out Highlights From Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Saudi Arabia:
Back to winning ways 👏@SPavlovich13 wins by UD at #UFCSaudiArabia
[ @RiyadhSeason | #RiyadhSeason ] pic.twitter.com/aPueJL5E3v
— UFC (@ufc) February 1, 2025