Report: UFC eyeing Blaydes-Pavlovich to headline Fight Night card on April 22
The UFC is finalizing a heavyweight matchup between Sergei Pavlovich and Curtis Blaydes to headline an event on April 22, sources told ESPN's Brett Okamoto.
The promotion has not announced a location or venue for the proposed bout, but both fighters agreed to a five-round main event, per Okamoto.
Pavlovich (17-1) has reeled off five straight wins since suffering a defeat at the hands of Alistair Overeem in 2018. The Russian fighter has secured first-round finishes in each of his past five outings that include wins over Maurice Greene, Derrick Lewis, and Tai Tuivasa.
Blaydes (17-3, 1 NC) will step into the Octagon riding a three-fight win streak. His only losses with the promotion have been twice to former heavyweight titleholder Francis Ngannou. His most recent defeat came via a second-round KO by Derrick Lewis in 2021. His latest victory came last July after Tom Aspinall sustained a knee injury 15 seconds into their Fight Night matchup.
Pavlovich will enter the fight as the No. 3-ranked heavyweight, while Blaydes is the No. 4-rated fighter in the same weight class.
The heavyweight division is set to feature a new champion when Jon Jones takes on Ciryl Gane for the vacant belt at UFC 285 in Las Vegas on March 4.