Sergei Pavlovich was defeated by former good friend and coaching associate, Alexander Volkov, as part of the UFC Saudi Arabia fight card final weekend in Riyadh, a unanimous choice loss that despatched the power-punching Russian to his second straight defeat.
There was sudden drama on the UFC Saudi Arabia weigh ins previous to the occasion, the place Pavlovich and Volkov argued over which fighter was responsible for the reserving. Then got here a post-fight shove from Pavlovich that didn’t sit nicely with “Drago” followers.
“It wasn’t my day, nothing went in keeping with plan,” Pavlovich wrote on Twitter. “I used to be prepared for something, however I used to be too targeted on getting a knockout and took too many pointless hits. The consequence was a loss by factors. This was very emotional and hard for me, particularly understanding that I didn’t meet your expectations. Thanks all in your help! I promise to come back again stronger and wiser.”
Fan reactions have been combined.
It’s best to apologize to Volkov, each for saying he wasn’t your good friend earlier than the struggle and for shoving him after when he was making an attempt to be good to you. You’re a greater sportsman than that.
Little bit of a sore loser man, i assumed you have been chill.
Properly mentioned Sergei. Finest needs, transferring ahead!
Keep sturdy! You stepped within the cage. That deserves respect.
Present some respect to your opponent and perhaps we’ll care to see your subsequent struggle.
We act like that is the primary time we seen a giant man with KO energy humbled when he can’t get the KO.
Your largest loss was what you probably did to Volkov. I hope to see you preventing for the belt quickly. My two favourite fighters preventing one another was laborious to look at.
Pavlovich, 32, dropped to 18-3 total.
You may anticipate Pavlovich, ranked two spots above the 35 year-old Volkov (38-10) at No. 3 on the official heavyweight ladder, to modify locations with “Drago” when the up to date rankings are posted later this week.
For extra UFC Saudi Arabia outcomes and fallout click on here.
