Alex Pereira Will Face Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335

The two fighters are scheduled to clash in a five-round co-main event match on December 12.

Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts

Expressive editorial sports illustration of two mixed martial arts fighters exchanging strikes in an arena, captured with dynamic brush strokes. — Alex Pereira is set to face Sergei Pavlovich in the co-main event at UFC 335 on December 12 in the United States. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Alex Pereira will return to the Octagon to fight Sergei Pavlovich on December 12 at UFC 335. The upcoming co-main event bout marks a return to competition for both fighters following their recent appearances.

Why it matters

This matchup serves as a significant test for Pereira as he competes following a loss and his decision to vacate his light heavyweight championship. For Pavlovich, the fight represents an opportunity to maintain momentum after a strong run of recent performances.

Sergei Pavlovich brings a career record of 21-3 to the cage, while Alex Pereira enters with a 13-4 mark. The contest is scheduled for five rounds.

The players

Alex Pereira

He is a professional mixed martial artist who previously held the UFC light heavyweight championship.

Sergei Pavlovich

He is a 34-year-old heavyweight competitor who has achieved significant success in the UFC rankings.

UFC

This is the premier global organization for mixed martial arts that hosts professional fighting events.

The details

The fight was officially announced during the broadcast of the UFC 332 main card. Pereira moves into this bout after a second-round TKO loss to Ciryl Gane in June, while Pavlovich looks to build on his first-round knockout victory over Tallison Teixeira in May.

May 2026: Pavlovich defeated Tallison Teixeira.
June 2026: Pereira lost to Ciryl Gane.
October 4, 2026: The fight was announced during the UFC 332 broadcast.
December 12, 2026: Pereira vs. Pavlovich takes place at UFC 335.

Season Trajectory

This matchup impacts the upper echelon of the division by testing whether Pereira can rebound from his recent title status change. It simultaneously serves as a gatekeeper moment for Pavlovich to challenge his standing against high-profile veteran opposition.

Fans should monitor this fight for its potential impact on the division rankings and future title contention. The five-round format provides more opportunities for both fighters to demonstrate their tactical adjustments and conditioning.

The takeaway

Both fighters enter this match with high stakes regarding their placement in the division rankings. Audiences can expect a high-intensity matchup given both competitors' history of finishes in their recent appearances.