The current UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, believes that his compatriot Sergei Pavlovich will be able to cope with American Jon Jones, who holds the UFC heavyweight title.
“It will be hard, but Pavlovich can deal with anyone,” the Russian fighter said, talking to reporters in Dagestan. “I worked with Pavlovich when he was in the AKA, somehow they worked on the ground – he has crazy strength. He pushed me away, I even injured my neck. Physically, he is a very gifted guy. But then we had a difference in weight of 20-30 kilograms and we worked on the ground in order not to take any risks. Everyone saw that if Pavlovich hits, then anyone falls”
In March of this year, former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones resumed his career after a three-year hiatus and won the vacant UFC heavyweight championship belt, finishing former interim division champion Cyril Gan via guillotine choke in the first round.
According to the UFC plan, the 35-year-old American was supposed to make his first title defense in November against his compatriot Stipe Miocic, however, informed sources report that this fight is currently in doubt.
31-year-old Sergey Pavlovich is on a series of six wins by knockouts in the first rounds and is second in the UFC heavyweight rankings.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/31854-islam-makhachev-otsenil-shansy-sergeya-pavlovicha-v-boyu-s-dzhonom-dzhonsom.html?rand=19907
