The UFC’s return to Orlando has a fun heavyweight fight set as its co-main event.
Tai Tuivasa (14-4) will meet Sergei Pavlovich (16-1) in the co-headliner, in a battle of ranked heavyweights. Pavlovich confirmed the news on social media on Tuesday, following an initial report by MMA Junkie.
Last seen at UFC Paris just over a month ago, Tuivasa will look to bounce back from a loss to Ciryl Gane in Orlando. “Bam Bam” was put away in the third round of that main event scrap, with the pair earning Fight of the Night honors at the first-ever UFC card in France.
Prior to that, the Australian fan favorite had racked up five straight wins in the UFC’s heavyweight division.
Russia’s Pavlovich has won four straight, and is coming off a quick and somewhat controversial stoppage win over Derrick Lewis at UFC 277. Many, including UFC President Dana White, viewed the win as an early stoppage, though it remains a key win for the 30-year old, whose lone loss came in his promotional debut against Alistair Overeem.
Tuivasa is ranked #4 in the UFC’s heavyweight division as of this writing, while Pavlovich sits at #5 in the promotion’s official rankings.
UFC Orlando is set to take place on December 3, 2022 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. Headlined by a welterweight showdown between Stephen Thompson and Kevin Holland, the following bouts have been reported for the event:
- Stephen Thompson vs. Kevin Holland
- Yazmin Jauregui vs. Istela Nunes
- Tracy Cortez vs. Amanda Ribas
- Matt Schnell vs. Matheus Nicolau
- Eryk Anders vs. Kyle Daukaus
- Derek Brunson vs. Jack Hermansson
- Marcelo Rojo vs. Francis Marshall
- Natan Levy vs. Genaro Valdez
- Michael Johnson vs. Marc Diakiese
- Angela Hill vs. Emily Ducote
- Scott Holtzman vs. Clay Guida
- Darren Elkins vs. Jonathan Pearce
- Rafael dos Anjos vs. Bryan Barberena
- Tai Tuivasa vs. Sergei Pavlovich
- Niko Price vs. Phil Rowe
