As Alex Pereira continues his ambitious and historic quest to conquer a third weight class inside the Ultimate Fighting Championship, his legendary coach and mentor, Glover Teixeira, has offered a candid assessment of his upcoming heavyweight assignment. According to the former light heavyweight champion, the hard-hitting Russian powerhouse Sergei Pavlovich represents a significantly better stylistic matchup for "Poatan" than former heavyweight titleholder Ciryl Gane.
Pavlovich and Pereira are officially scheduled to collide in a high-stakes heavyweight co-main event at UFC 335, set to take place on December 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The bout marks a crucial juncture in Pereira’s career as he attempts to rebound from the first major setback of his heavyweight tenure and refocus his energies on capturing the ultimate prize in a third distinct division.
"Poatan" enters the upcoming pay-per-view card looking to bounce back from a disappointing second-round technical knockout loss to Ciryl Gane. That pivotal encounter occurred during Pereira’s heavyweight debut at UFC Freedom 250 in June, a high-profile event that exposed some of the hurdles the devastating striker faces as he adjusts to the sheer size, strength, and movement of elite heavyweights. Gane, known for his elite footwork, fluid lateral movement, and evasive fighting style, managed to befuddle the Brazilian knockout artist before finding the finishing blow in the second frame.
However, Teixeira firmly believes that the stylistic landscape of this new matchup heavily favors his star pupil. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Sherdog, Teixeira broke down the upcoming bout with Pavlovich, welcoming the challenge and predicting an explosive finish that will not see the judges’ scorecards.
"It was the fight to make. Every heavyweight fight is dangerous, and this one definitely isn’t going to the fifth round," Teixeira told Sherdog, highlighting the finishing potential possessed by both men. He further elaborated on why Pavlovich’s traditional tendencies inside the Octagon present a more manageable puzzle for Pereira to solve compared to the elusive movement of fighters like Gane.
"It’s a better matchup for ‘Poatan’ compared to Ciryl Gane’s style. Gane moves around more, while Pavlovich tends to stay more planted," Teixeira explained, contrasting the tactical approaches of the two heavyweights.
Pavlovich has built a fearsome reputation within the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s heavyweight division primarily through his concussive punching power and forward pressure. Rather than relying on intricate footwork or evasive darting in and out, the Russian contender often prefers to march forward and engage in devastating exchanges, utilizing his immense reach and crushing blows to overwhelm opponents early in the bout.
For a counter-striker of Pereira’s caliber—a man renowned for his pinpoint accuracy, devastating left hook, and calculated patience—a stationary or forward-moving opponent who commits heavily to strikes can often present more straightforward opportunities for counter-offensive maneuvers. Teixeira outlined the specific tactical blueprint that his student must execute to emerge victorious under the bright lights of Las Vegas in December.
"To win, ‘Poatan’ needs to fight the right fight, maintain his distance, and be faster," Teixeira noted, emphasizing the vital importance of discipline, range management, and hand speed when dealing with a heavyweight knockout artist of Pavlovich’s magnitude.
Maintaining distance will be paramount for Pereira, who typically gives up physical dimensions in the heavyweight division compared to his days dominating the middleweight and light heavyweight landscapes. By utilizing his long range, dictating the tempo of the striking exchanges, and leaning on his superior speed, Pereira can look to dismantle the Russian powerhouse before getting drawn into a chaotic, heavy-handed brawl.
Despite the temporary detour and the setback against Gane in June, Teixeira made it clear that the ultimate ambition for the Brazilian star remains entirely unchanged. The dream of etching his name into mixed martial arts immortality as the first-ever three-division champion in UFC history continues to drive every training session at their camp.
"‘Poatan’s’ goal is still to win a third title, and that’s what he is focused on right now," Teixeira affirmed.
As the calendar ticks closer to December 12, the heavyweight division watches with bated breath. UFC 335 shapes up to be an unforgettable night of fights in Las Vegas, anchored by a compelling championship narrative. For Alex Pereira, a statement victory over a perennial contender like Sergei Pavlovich would not only erase the bitter memory of his debut defeat against Gane but also thrust him right back to the forefront of the heavyweight championship picture, keeping his historic three-belt dream alive.
