After UFC Fight Night 222, there is no doubt who should be next in line for a UFC heavyweight title shot.

Sergei Pavlovich made a statement in the main event at UFC Apex in Las Vegas by making quick work of Curtis Blaydes. The bout aired on ESPN+, and fans didn’t have to wait long for a definitive result. At 3:08 of the first round, Pavlovich (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) was stopped by the referee from landing more punches on Blaydes (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC), and the celebration was on for the Russian heavyweight contender.

Hard punches were exchanged early. Both fighters landed well as they moved around the octagon. Pavlovich stalked forward while Blaydes circled on the outside. It seemed as if either man could have been dropped to the canvas at any moment, and just under two minutes in, Blaydes was knocked off his feet momentarily.

Blaydes gathered himself well, but Pavlovich kept pouring on the pressure. A moment later, another combination landed to rock Blaydes again. Having not yet gone to his wrestling base which has carried him to victory many times throughout his career, Blaydes decided it was time to get the fight to the ground. However, Pavlovich wasn’t having it, and easily sprawled the takedown attempt.

Before Blaydes could figure out a solution to the major problem in front of him, he was rocked and dropped by more punches. This time, Pavlovich put the finishing touches on the fight as the referee rushed in to prevent further damage.

ANOTHER first round KO for Sergei Pavlovich #UFCVegas71 pic.twitter.com/VH6e9SJl5a

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 23, 2023

With the win, Pavlovich extends his current winning streak to five. After stumbling in his UFC debut, Pavlovich has been an absolute wrecking machine in the octagon.

Marcelo Golm, Maurice Greene, Shamil Abdurakhimov, Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa, and now Curtis Blaydes, all failed to make it out of the first round against Pavlovich – a new UFC record with six-straight opening-round knockout finishes.

After the fight, Pavlovich made his case for a shot at Jon Jones’ heavyweight title.

“Hopefully this time I’ll get a bonus again, and hey, where’s my belt?” Pavlovich said during his post-fight interview in the octagon with Paul Felder.

On the other side, Blaydes sees his three-fight winning streak come to an end, and along with that, his hopes for a shot at the title.

Full results of UFC Fight Night 222 include:

• Sergei Pavlovich def. Curtis Blaydes via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:08
• Bruno Silva def. Brad Tavares via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:35
• Bobby Green vs. Jared Gordon ruled a no contest (accidental clash of heads) Round 1, 4:35
• Iasmin Lucindo def. Brogan Walker via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Jeremiah Wells def. Matthew Semelsberger via split decision (30-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Christos Giagos def. Ricky Glenn via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:35
• Montel Jackson def. Rani Yahya via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:42
• Norma Dumont def. Karol Rosa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Mohammed Usman def. Junior Tafa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) 
• William Gomis def. Francis Marshall via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Brady Hiestand def. Danaa Batgerel via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:21

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 222.