Sergey Pavlovich needed just 55 seconds to finish Derrick Lewis at UFC 277, but it appears the referee may have pulled the trigger on a premature stoppage to end the fight.
Despite facing one of the most dangerous knockout strikers in heavyweight history, Pavlovich showed no fear in coming out and tackling Lewis right away. Pavlovic’s right hand tagged Lewis early and the former title contender immediately found himself in trouble as he tried to recover.
Pavlovich came down on his opponent with a barrage of punches, with Lewis eventually falling to the canvas and referee Dan Miragliotta quickly jumping in to stop the bout.
Lewis stood up almost immediately when he complained about the stoppage, but it was too late when Pavlovic began to celebrate his victory.
“I was ready to hit him five rounds, three rounds, it doesn’t matter,” Pavlovic said afterward. “How do you like this boxing? I’ve done my job. I am very happy with my performance.”
Obviously, Pavlovic was just doing his job, but the huge win will likely be overshadowed by the controversial stoppage with Lewis’ home state crowd booing quite loudly after the match ended.
Regardless of how it happened, Pavlovic has now scored his fourth straight win overall, with all of his victories coming by knockout or TKO, with no opponent going past the first round.
A win would also give Pavlovich a higher ranking after taking out a veteran like Lewis as he announces the arrival of a new heavyweight contender.
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