Talison Teixeira is in no rush to leap into the dialogue for a shot on the UFC heavyweight belt, however he is aware of that dealing with top-ranked Sergey Pavlovic this weekend at UFC Macau may pace issues up regardless. In any case, “Xicao” stated that he’s serious about dealing with one other Russian expertise earlier than becoming a member of the title combine.
In July 2025, when he was nonetheless undefeated within the sport and 1-0 within the UFC after defeating Justin Tafa in 35 seconds, Teixeira informed Pavlovic’s teammate Valter Walker throughout a sext spherical chat that he was assured he would win if he confronted Pavlovic. A yr later, he had an opportunity to show it in his subsequent match, shedding to Derrick Lewis in the identical 35 seconds after which defeating Tai Tuivasa.
“Now I’ve a extra grounded perspective,” Teixeira informed MMA Combating. “I nonetheless assume he is a extremely powerful man. On the time, I knew he was a really tough opponent, so I stated, ‘If I put together properly, I can (beat him).’ (laughs) However not a lot has modified for me. I nonetheless assume he is a really harmful man. You must be very properly ready to combat. However I believe he is misplaced somewhat little bit of the momentum and aggression that he used to have, and I believe that works in my favor.”
On the time, Pavlovic gained a choice over Jairzinho Rozenstryk, bounced again from back-to-back losses to Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov, and a month later gained a choice over Waldo Cortez-Acosta. Teixeira stated Pavlovic remains to be harmful, however he could also be a unique athlete now that he is entered the Octagon after three straight selections, in comparison with the person who gained six consecutive first-round knockouts from 2019 to 2023.
“After all, when the time for our combat comes, he may go loopy like earlier than, come ahead recklessly, throw all the things into that one punch and attempt to finish the combat straight away,” Teixeira stated. “It is a very unpredictable matchup. I have been coaching for that risk, however I’ve additionally educated for if he takes a extra measured strategy, slows down the tempo of the combat and tries to win on factors. I actually consider I am properly ready.”
“I believe I can end,” he added. “I may not be capable of do it within the first spherical, however I wish to damage him little by little, contact him up, do some harm and break that aura much more. However I can see the end.”
A defeat of Pavlovic’s top-ranked opponent would doubtless propel the Brazilian right into a top-10 heavyweight.
“Even when I beat him, I do not assume he’ll be in title competition straight away,” Teixeira stated. “To be trustworthy, I do not need it but. I believe I nonetheless want a recreation or two earlier than I get into that dialogue. However it might put me within the prime 5, perhaps prime three.”
Whereas Aspinall recovers from a critical eye damage and the heavyweight title image is presently in turmoil as Alex Pereira takes on Cyril Gane for the interim belt, ‘Sicao’ has named Volkov as the best opponent for the subsequent step if he wins in opposition to Pavlovich.
“Perhaps it might make sense to combat Volkov subsequent,” Teixeira stated. “Two Russians in a row? That is fascinating.”
Volkov has gained six of his previous seven journeys to the Octagon, together with his solely blemish being a controversial cut up determination loss to Ghane. He has obtained selections in opposition to Jaylton Almeida and Cortez-Acosta, each of which had been closely criticized by followers, and Teixeira stated he can be far more assured in opposition to him.
“I truly assume that combat was simpler than the Sergey combat,” Teixeira stated. “I actually consider in that. I believe it is in all probability simpler to play in opposition to somebody like Volkov as a result of he is such a giant man, as a result of it is just like my fashion. And I am additionally excellent at closing the gap. I even educated with one in every of Plinio’s gamers, who is greater than me.”
“In the event you shut the gap and know easy methods to deal properly, you may nonetheless achieve success even if you’re brief in top and have a brief attain. So I do not assume it will likely be a lot totally different to combat Volkov. Clearly Volkov is hard and harmful, however I believe, comparatively talking, Sergei poses extra threat than Volkov.”
Teixeira has been coaching with “Poitan” Pereira and Glover Teixeira in Danbury for his upcoming bout in China, which he stated not solely ready him for Pavlovic however helped him evolve as a real martial artist.
“Probably the most harmful combat is at all times the subsequent combat, and this one isn’t any exception,” Teixeira stated. “It was nice to return right here to coach with Alex as a result of he is a really skilled man who’s been in quite a lot of hanging fights. I study one thing from him on daily basis. And Glover has given me quite a lot of nice perception on the grappling aspect, but in addition on hanging, motion and all the things else, particularly cage work.”
“I used to be truly speaking to Glover about this. I haven’t got the identical jiu-jitsu anymore, however I haven’t got actually efficient MMA jiu-jitsu both. I am someplace within the center proper now. I am nonetheless evolving to have a extremely efficient jiu-jitsu for MMA, however it takes time to develop that. And when Glover trains with us, he… The stress he places on is insane. One factor I actually like about him is that he does not need you to repeat his fashion. He desires you to see what you are already doing properly, what you could enhance on, and add particulars to additional refine your recreation.”
After a 15-minute determination loss to Tuivasa in his most up-to-date UFC combat, Teixeira joked that “lots of people would say it was my cardio” that wanted probably the most enchancment, however he additionally defined why he was so drained that night time in Sydney.
“I believe quite a lot of it was the adrenaline sporting me down that night time,” Teixeira stated. “Earlier than the sport, I even stated to my coach, ‘I believe I ought to cease warming up as a result of my coronary heart is thrashing so quick. I’m beginning to run out of gasoline.’ (laughs) Time zones change, coming off a loss, and enjoying in your opponent’s hometown places further stress on you. Basa is a troublesome man. He has a metal chin. He nonetheless desires to face there and commerce punches within the final second of the spherical. I knew it was going to be a troublesome combat, and it was, however I may see issues that might be improved. ”
