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Video: Michael Bisping Tries To Get Sergei Pavlovich To Beat Up Dominick Cruz

Originally posted on MMA News | By Curtis Calhoun | Last updated 11/9/23

UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping jokingly pitched Sergei Pavlovich into fighting another opponent this weekend at UFC 295.

Pavlovich will face Tom Aspinall for the interim UFC heavyweight title this weekend at UFC 295. The matchup came together after UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones withdrew from his planned matchup with Stipe Miocic due to injury.

Pavlovich, who was slated as the backup to Jones vs. Miocic, got to fight after the main event shakeup.

During his young UFC tenure, Pavlovich has been known as a relatively stoic fighter with a ferocious style inside the cage. Bisping, a former UFC champion, attempted to get Pavlovich to show some personality ahead of this weekend's festivities.

Bisping and Dominick Cruz are two of the top UFC analysts for ESPN and have a long, at-times complicated relationship away from fighting. The former UFC middleweight champion Bisping wanted Pavlovich to do him a massive favor by beating up Cruz.

Michael Bisping Attempts To Cause Trouble Ahead Of UFC 295

In a recent face-to-face interview with Bisping, Pavlovich didn't take the UFC Hall of Famer's bait.

"I'm gonna run away if I see him," Pavlovich joked.

Cruz is one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time and is plotting a potential UFC return next year. He hasn't fought since a loss to Marlon Vera at UFC San Diego last year.

Pavlovich's heavyweight rise includes finishes of the likes of Derrick Lewis, Curtis Blaydes, and Tai Tuivasa. He's long been mentioned as the dark horse of the heavyweight division.

Pavlovich is laser-focused on the task at hand this Saturday night, but he shows that even the most serious athletes can joke around while feeling the nerves that come with competing.

This article first appeared on MMA News and was syndicated with permission.

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