Oliveira Sees Pavlovich Weakness Pereira Can Exploit at UFC 335

Charles Oliveira thinks Sergei Pavlovich has a significant hole in his game ahead of the fight with Alex Pereira. Some believe Pavlovich will simply be too big for Pereira. Oliveira says Pavlovich does not defend against kicks and Pereira kicks a lot.

The heavyweight bout is set for December 12 on the UFC 335 card, the promotion's final major numbered event of 2026. Some people view it as a last chance at gold at heavyweight for Pereira, who suffered a TKO loss to Ciryl Gane in June. Others feel he simply cannot stick around against elite heavyweights.

Oliveira, the current BMF titleholder, disagrees. He told MMA Fighting that he can picture Pereira chopping Pavlovich down with kicks before scoring the knockout.

"Two tough fights, both mine and his, but I really believe in 'Poatan's' firepower and his strategy, and in his ability to get in there and win," Oliveira said. "Pavlovich is a very tough guy, a heavy hitter, a big guy, a strong guy, but 'Poatan' is 'Poatan'. If 'Poatan' lands a punch, if he's in the right mindset and gets his timing right, if he lands that punch, he can also knock him out easily."

He went on to call it a dangerous fight. "Pavlovich doesn't defend against kicks, and 'Poatan' kicks a lot," Oliveira said. "'Poatan' moves well. In reality, if he manages to connect and gets his timing right first, it will definitely be another great knockout."

Oddsmakers currently have Pavlovich as a slight betting favorite. The odds can still move as fight night gets closer.

Source: BJPenn.com