Heavyweight behemoths throw down at UFC Fight Night Macau on Saturday, as former title challenger Sergei Pavlovich links up with 6-foot-7 Brazilian giant Tallison Teixeira.
Pavlovich is currently the No. 3-ranked contender in the heavyweight division and is riding a two-fight win streak. The UFC is desperate to get him a highlight-reel knockout win to legitimize him as the next possible challenger to the winner of the Alex Pereira vs. Cyril Gane title fight on next month's UFC White House card.
Teixeira’s size and good-looking record on paper make him an ideal choice to fill the spot, and I expect him to go down violently.
Current UFC odds list Pavlovich as a -650 betting favorite, and I firmly agree with them in my Pavlovich vs. Teixeira predictions and free betting picks for May 30.
Pavlovich vs Teixeira fight prediction: Pavlovich moneyline (-650)
Sergei Pavlovich started in the UFC as a credible power puncher, winning six straight fights by first-round knockout to earn him a title fight against Tom Aspinall. After coming up short in his bid for the belt, he’s since gone 2-1, with all three fights going to decision.
Meanwhile, Tallison Teixeira’s last two fights saw the Brazilian stopped in just 35 seconds against a 40-year-old Derrick Lewis before struggling against an over-the-hill Tai Tuivasa.
Although Teixeira sports a four-inch height advantage, it’s actually Pavlovich who holds the advantage in the reach department. I expect him to find the target early and often before Teixeira finally has enough and hits the canvas.
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Pavlovich vs Teixeira best bet: Pavlovich to win in Round 1 (+140)
I’m chasing some extra value and banking on Pavlovich to get this done in the first round.
15 of the Russians’ 20 pro wins have come inside the very first round (75%), and with Teixeira’s only career loss being by TKO in just 35 seconds, surviving deeper into the fight seems unlikely.
The Brazilian may try to wrestle and slow down the clock as he did in his most recent appearance against Tai Tuivasa, but Pavlovich also holds the edge in the wrestling department.
Teixeira is gonna learn quickly that he has nowhere to hide.
COVERS INTEL: Pavlovich has never lost to an opponent ranked outside the top five of the heavyweight division, while Teixeira has never beaten an opponent ranked inside the top 20.Sergei Pavlovich vs Tallison Teixeira odds
 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Method of Victory | Pavlovich | Teixeira |
| To win outright | -650 | +425 |
| To win by KO/TKO | -300 | +730 |
| To win by decision | +500 | +1400 |
| To win by submission | +1900 | +2500 |
| Total rounds | Over 1.5 +140 |
Under 1.5 -180 |
Odds as of 5-29.
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Sergei Pavlovich vs Tallison Teixeira tale of the tape
| Pavlovich | Teixeira | |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Age | 26 |
| 6-foot-3 | Height | 6-foot-8 |
| Heavyweight | Weight Class | Heavyweight |
| 84 inches | Reach | 83 inches |
| 20-3 | Record | 9-1 |
| 15 | Wins by KO | 7 |
| 0 | Wins by submission | 1 |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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