26 April 2023 , 18:15
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UFC heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich claims he "lost everything" while gambling in Las Vegas days before his latest win.
Pavlovich has made a hugely successful start to life in the UFC having lost just once on his debut against Alistair Overeem. The Russian star has since made a march towards the title and defeated Derrick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa as part of a five-fight win-streak prior to his recent win.
The 30-year-old stepped in the cage with heavyweight contender Blaydes this weekend in Las Vegas and put on a clinical display, dispatching of his rival in the opening round with a barrage of shots. However just days prior to the showdown, Pavlovich had been spotted in a casino in Las Vegas gambling on a slot machine.
A fan had taken a video of him gambling and the footage had circulated online prior to the event. When addressing the viral footage at the post-fight press conference, Pavlovich admitted it was one of his first times gambling, having been given $100 to spend by his friend.
"To be honest, I've never gambled," Pavlovich said. "I've never played any of those things, and a buddy of mine was like, 'Here's a hundred bucks. Go play, try it, see how you feel,' and now somebody else filmed the video, and there you go. Alright, I'll tell you what happened. First I won. I'm thinking 'Alright, maybe I'll win some more,' and then I lost everything."
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The significance of Pavlovich's latest win cannot be understated given he has now leapfrogged the inactive Stipe Miocic to be placed second in the latest UFC heavyweight rankings. It is unlikely that he will receive a title shot next however, given the American is likely to step in the octagon with current champion Jon Jones later this year.
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But UFC legend Chael Sonnen wants 'Bones' to wait around before considering retirement in order to entertain a potential showdown with the heavy-handed contender. He said during a video on his YouTube channel: "Jon Jones has been doing stuff from the beginning of his career that no other man can do. It's a tough spot. I'd like to hear from Jon here, I'd like to see Jon call for (Pavlovich). I don't know if I'll get my way.
"I can't fault him if he doesn't do it. It's not his job, he's the champion. But of all the things that Jon has done that no other man could do. If he, at 35, calls out the leader of the pack of the next era, who without question is named Sergei Pavlovich. that can be something special. There's a credit there, and there's a courage there, and there's a competitiveness there."