UFC 295 breakdown: With six straight first-round KOs, can Pavlovich stop Aspinall for heavyweight gold?

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom takes a closer look at the UFC 295 interim heavyweight title fight between Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall.

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the co-main event for UFC 295.

UFC 295 takes place Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

UFC 295 weigh-in results: Two fighters miss weight in New York

Check out results from the UFC 295 weigh-ins in New York, where the vacant light heavyweight and interim heavyweight titles are on the line.

NEW YORK – MMA Junkie was at Friday’s official UFC 295 fighter weigh-ins, which took place at the UFC host hotel in New York and preceded the ceremonial weigh-ins for the fans at 5 p.m. ET at The Theater at MSG in New York.

The attached Madison Square Garden hosts Saturday’s event, which has a main card on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

Among those who weighed in were former light heavyweight champion [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and ex-middleweight champ [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who meet for the vacant 205-pound title. Pereira will attempt to become the UFC’s newest two-division titleholder. In the co-feature, the interim heavyweight title is on the line between [autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) and [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] (13-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC).

The four title fight combatants made weight in the first 90 minutes, but two undercard fighters closed the two-hour window with misses.

[autotag]Jamall Emmers[/autotag] registered at 147, one pound over the featherweight limit, for his fight vs. [autotag]Dennis Buzukja[/autotag]. He was followed by [autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag], who took a lightweight fight vs. [autotag]Mateusz Rebecki[/autotag] on less than one week’s notice and weighed 158 pounds, two pounds over the divisional limit.

According to the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) protocols, only title fight combatants receive an additional hour to hit their marks so Emmers and Roberts were one-and-done on the scale.

At the time of publication, statuses of the fights and fines are unknown. This story will be updated when confirmation is received.

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The full UFC 295 weigh-in results include:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Jiri Prochazka (204.2) vs. Alex Pereira (204) – for vacant light heavyweight title
  • Sergei Pavlovich (259.8) vs. Tom Aspinall (261.6) – for interim heavyweight title
  • Jessica Andrade (116) vs. Mackenzie Dern (115.6)
  • Matt Frevola (155.6) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (156)
  • Diego Lopes (145.4) vs. Pat Sabatini (145.8)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPNews, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Alessandro Costa (125.4) vs. Stephen Erceg (125.6)
  • Loopy Godinez (115) vs. Tabatha Ricci (115.4)
  • Mateusz Rebecki (155.8) vs. Roosevelt Roberts (158)**
  • Viacheslav Borshchev (154.8) vs. Nazim Sadykhov (155.6)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

  • Jared Gordon (155.6) vs. Mark Madsen (155.6)
  • John Castaneda (137.6) vs. Kyung Ho Kang (138)
  • Kevin Borjas (125.8) vs. Joshua Van (125.8)
  • Dennis Buzukja (145.6) vs. Jamall Emmers (147)*

* = misses featherweight limit by one pound

** = misses lightweight limit by two pounds

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.

UFC 295 video: Sergei Pavlovich, Tom Aspinall unsurprisingly have no issue on scale

The formality of Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall making weight for their UFC 295 interim title fight went through without issue.

NEW YORK – The formality of [autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] and [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] making weight for their UFC 295 interim title fight went through without issue.

Heavyweight contenders Pavlovich (17-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) and Aspinall (13-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) will fill a gap left atop the division courtesy of Jon Jones’ injury when they meet for the interim belt in Saturday’s co-main event at Madison Square Garden.

Both men took the fight on short notice after Jones withdrew from his title defense against Stipe Miocic, but because they’re heavyweights, they came in comfortably under the divisional limit. Aspinall registered at 261.6 pounds during Friday’s session at the UFC host hotel. Minutes later, Pavlovich weighed slightly less at 259.8 pounds.

Check out the video above to see Pavlovich and Aspinall weigh in for their UFC 295 interim heavyweight title fight.

The UFC 295 main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.

Photos: UFC 295 press conference, faceoffs

Check out the best photos from the UFC 295 news conference at Madison Square Garden in New York.

NEW YORK – The four fighters involved in the UFC 295 title fights squared off Thursday at Madison Square Garden, the venue for Saturday’s pay-per-view event.

The UFC 295 pre-fight news conference featured [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] and [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag], who fight for the vacant light heavyweight title, as well as [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] and [autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag], who compete for the interim heavyweight strap.

Following 30 minutes of questions from the media and answers from the fighters, the two matchups squared off.

Check out the best photos from the UFC 295 press conference (via MMA Junkie’s Nolan King).

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.

UFC 295 video: Sergei Pavlovich vs. Tom Aspinall first faceoff for interim title fight

Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall came face-to-face for the first time ahead of their short notice interim title fight at UFC 295.

NEW YORK – Heavyweight contenders [autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] and [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] came face-to-face for the first time Thursday ahead of their short-notice interim title fight at UFC 295.

After champion Jon Jones suffered an injury that forced him out of the originally planned main event with Stipe Miocic, the UFC shifted gears and booked Pavlovich (17-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) vs. Aspinall (13-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) for the interim strap on the card at Madison Square Garden.

Both men jumped at the opportunity and kicked off fight week activities at the pre-fight news conference, after which they had their first staredown.

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Check out the video above to see the Pavlovich vs. Aspinall faceoff from the UFC 295 press conference.

The UFC 295 main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.

Video: UFC 295 pre-fight press conference live stream

Watch the UFC 295 pre-fight press conference live, featuring the Prochazka vs. Pereira and Pavlovich vs. Aspinall.

NEW YORK – The UFC 295 pre-fight press conference takes place Thursday, and MMA Junkie will have a live stream of the event beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. PT).

The two championship fights will be featured on the dais. [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who fight for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event, as well [autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] (17-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) and [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] (13-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who clash for interim heavyweight gold in the co-main event.

UFC 295 takes place Saturday at Madison Square Garden. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.

UFC 295 ‘Embedded,’ No. 4: Alex Pereira KOs Jamahal Hill for light heavyweight title … in new video game

Fighters sign posters, test their gloves, and Alex Pereira tries out the new UFC video game in the fourth installment of UFC 295 “Embedded.”

The UFC is back for its regular fall trip to “The Big Apple,” and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 295 takes place Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

In the main event, former light heavyweight champion [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and ex-middleweight champ [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) meet for the vacant 205-pound title. Pereira will attempt to become the UFC’s newest two-division titleholder.

In the co-feature, the interim heavyweight title is on the line between [autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) and [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] (13-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who are fighting for that belt after champ Jon Jones suffered an injury training for his fight with Stipe Miocic, which was the card’s original headliner.

The fourth episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Alex Pereira invests in his legacy; Tom Aspinall puts in work. Sergei Pavlovich and Diego Lopes explore NYC. Matt Frevola and Aspinall check in for fight week. Pereira tests himself in the EA UFC5 Octagon.

Also see:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.

Video: Michael Bisping previews UFC 295 with USA TODAY Sports

Michael Bisping offers his thoughts on Tom Aspinall vs. Sergei Pavlovich and Jon Jones’ injury withdrawal before UFC 295 on Saturday.

UFC 295 takes place Saturday at famed Madison Square Garden in New York where two titles will be up for grabs.

In the main event, former champion [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] and [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] square off for the vacant light heavyweight belt. And in the co-main event, [autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] and [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] will battle for the interim heavyweight title after champ Jon Jones was forced to withdraw late from his showdown with Stipe Miocic because of a pectoral injury.

Before fight night arrives, USA TODAY Sports host Mackenzie Salmon caught up with UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping on “Sports Seriously” to discuss the top matchups.

“Both of these guys are on incredible runs,” Bisping said of Pavlovich and Aspinall. “Sergei is knocking everybody out in the first round with the first punch. He hits so hard, it’s ridiculous. … Tom is absolutely phenomenal. And he’s gonna go out there, and he’s gonna smoke Sergei Pavlovich in the first round. There it is. There’s the prediction.”

You can hear more from Bisping on “Sports Seriously” in the video above.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.

Daniel Cormier wonders if Tom Aspinall is prepared to fight Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 on short notice

Daniel Cormier is concerned with Tom Aspinall’s preparation ahead of UFC 295.

[autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] is concerned with [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag]’s preparation ahead of UFC 295.

After heavyweight champion Jon Jones withdrew from his title fight against Stipe Miocic, Aspinall (13-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) got the short-notice call to face Sergei Pavlovich in Saturday’s co-main event at Madison Square Garden in New York. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

Pavlovich (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) was already in training camp for UFC 295, preparing to serve as the official backup for Jones vs. Miocic. But with Aspinall getting the call less than three weeks before the fight, Cormier isn’t sure if he’ll be ready for a championship fight.

“He has to move. He has to stay out of the danger zone of Pavlovich,” Cormier said on his ESPN show “DC & RC.” “But he’s taking the fight on short notice. Is he prepared to fight like that over 25 minutes?”

Based on statistics, Aspinall vs. Pavlovich isn’t expected to go the distance. Both men have an array of first-round finishes on their resume and currently average the shortest fight time in the UFC with at least five bouts.

“There are certain guys that you don’t want really to fight,” Cormier said. “That’s why everybody didn’t want to fight ‘Rumble’ (Johnson). Nobody was like, ‘Hey, I want to fight Rumble.’ Nobody just wants to step in there and fight Derrick Lewis because of the power.

“Power is dangerous. This dude (Pavlovich) has won six by first-round knockout in a row. That’s nuts, man. You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to have quick nights every night. That’s how dangerous this dude is.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.

UFC 295 ‘Embedded,’ No. 3: At home with Alex Pereira, at MSG with Jiri Prochazka

Alex Pereira shops, cleans and packs, while Jiri Prochazka takes in a Knicks game in the third installment of UFC 295 “Embedded.”

The UFC is back for its regular fall trip to “The Big Apple,” and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 295 takes place Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

In the main event, former light heavyweight champion [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and ex-middleweight champ [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) meet for the vacant 205-pound title. Pereira will attempt to become the UFC’s newest two-division titleholder.

In the co-feature, the interim heavyweight title is on the line between [autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) and [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] (13-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who are fighting for that belt after champ Jon Jones suffered an injury training for his fight with Stipe Miocic, which was the card’s original headliner.

The third episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Alex Pereira shops, cleans and packs. Sergei Pavlovich impresses his teammates. Jiri Prochazka takes in a Knicks game. Tom Aspinall chats with Michael Bisping inside Madison Square Garden.

Also see:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.