UFC Fight Night 222: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes | Event Profile, Full Results & Legacy
- Conor McBragger
- May 22
- 4 min read
Introduction
UFC Fight Night 222: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes took place on April 22, 2023 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas — UFC Vegas 71. The heavyweight main event was a critical top-five clash between No. 3-ranked Sergei Pavlovich and No. 4-ranked Curtis Blaydes, with the winner set to challenge for the heavyweight championship.
Pavlovich was devastating once again, stopping Blaydes via TKO (punches) at 3:08 of round one — extending his streak to six consecutive first-round knockouts and making UFC history. The card also featured a no-contest between Bobby Green and Jared Gordon after an accidental headbutt knocked Gordon unconscious, and four PoN bonuses were awarded.
Contents
Quick Stats
📅 Date: Saturday, April 22, 2023
📍 Venue: UFC Apex, Enterprise, Nevada, USA (UFC Vegas 71)
📺 Broadcast: ESPN+ (UFC on ESPN+ 80)
🏆 Main Event: Sergei Pavlovich (#3) vs. Curtis Blaydes (#4) — Heavyweight (5 rounds)
✅ Result: Sergei Pavlovich def. Curtis Blaydes via TKO (Punches) (Round 1, 3:08)
⭐ Notable: Pavlovich extends historic R1 KO streak to 6 | Green vs. Gordon NC (accidental headbutt KOs Gordon) | Bruno Silva TKO Tavares R1 | Giagos KO Glenn R1 | Jackson KO Yahya R1 | 4 PoN, no FotN
The Build-Up
This was the first UFC Fight Night at the Apex since February. Pavlovich entered on a five-fight first-round knockout streak — arguably the most dangerous run of any heavyweight in UFC history. Blaydes was one of the division’s best wrestlers and had the tools to potentially neutralise Pavlovich’s power if he could get the fight to the ground.
Main Event: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes
Pavlovich struck first with a right hook and uppercut that set the tone. An exchange of power punches followed, but Pavlovich dropped Blaydes momentarily with an overhand right. The Russian continued marching forward, rocking Blaydes with a jab and following with a sustained barrage.
A right hook froze Blaydes in place, and Pavlovich piled on ground-and-pound punches until the referee stepped in at 3:08. It was Pavlovich’s sixth consecutive first-round knockout — a UFC record for heavyweights and one of the most remarkable finishing streaks in the sport’s history. Post-event facts confirmed this earned Pavlovich a title shot against Jon Jones.
Co-Main & Undercard Highlights
Bruno Silva stopped Brad Tavares via TKO (punches) at 3:35 of round one in the co-main event (PoN). Bobby Green vs. Jared Gordon was declared a no contest after an accidental clash of heads knocked Gordon unconscious at 4:35 of round one — the replay official correctly identified the headbutt.
Christos Giagos earned a PoN with a brutal left-hand KO of Ricky Glenn at 1:35 of round one. Montel Jackson knocked out Rani Yahya with a lightning-fast counter combination in round one (PoN) — his first career bonus. Brady Hiestand stopped Danaa Batgerel via TKO in round three.
Full Results
Sergei Pavlovich def. Curtis Blaydes — TKO (Punches) (Round 1, 3:08) — PoN | 6th straight R1 KO | Earns HW title shot
Bruno Silva def. Brad Tavares — TKO R1, 3:35 (PoN); Bobby Green vs. Jared Gordon — No Contest (accidental headbutt) R1, 4:35; Iasmin Lucindo def. Brogan Walker — UD R3; Jeremiah Wells def. Matthew Semelsberger — SD R3
Christos Giagos def. Ricky Glenn — KO (Left Hand) R1, 1:35 (PoN); Montel Jackson def. Rani Yahya — KO R1, 3:42 (PoN); Brady Hiestand def. Danaa Batgerel — TKO R3, 4:21; William Gomis def. Francis Marshall — SD R3; Mohammed Usman def. Junior Tafa — UD R3
Bonuses & Awards
🥊 Fight of the Night: No bonus awarded
🏆 Performance of the Night: Sergei Pavlovich ($50,000) — TKO of Curtis Blaydes R1 | Historic R1 KO streak
🏆 Performance of the Night: Bruno Silva ($50,000) — TKO of Brad Tavares R1
🏆 Performance of the Night: Christos Giagos ($50,000) — KO (Left Hand) of Ricky Glenn R1
🏆 Performance of the Night: Montel Jackson ($50,000) — KO of Rani Yahya R1 | First career bonus
Records & Milestones
🥊 Sergei Pavlovich extended his first-round knockout streak to six consecutive fights — a historic run in the heavyweight division. Post-event facts confirmed this achievement was unprecedented for UFC heavyweights and earned him the next title shot against Jon Jones.
🥊 The Green vs. Gordon no contest was a rare occurrence where the replay official identified the accidental headbutt and correctly overturned what initially appeared to be a KO finish.
Legacy & Impact
FN 222 was the pinnacle of Pavlovich’s rise. Six consecutive first-round knockouts made him the most feared knockout artist in the heavyweight division and earned him a shot at Jon Jones’ title at UFC 295 in November 2023. While Pavlovich would ultimately lose that title fight, this card represented the peak of one of the most explosive heavyweight runs in UFC history.
FAQ
How many first-round KOs did Pavlovich have in a row?
Six. Pavlovich knocked out his last six opponents in round one before challenging Jon Jones for the heavyweight title at UFC 295. It was an unprecedented streak for a UFC heavyweight.
What happened in the Green vs. Gordon fight?
An accidental clash of heads at 4:35 of round one knocked Jared Gordon unconscious. The replay official reviewed the footage and correctly ruled it a no contest, rather than a KO win for Green.
References
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