1. Jailton Almeida
- Record: 17 wins, 4 losses
- UFC Ranking: #6 in the UFC heavyweight division
Recent Wins
- Alexander Romanov: Submission (rear-naked choke) at UFC 302 on June 1, 2024.
- Jairzinho Rozenstruik: Submission (rear-naked choke) at UFC on ABC 4 on May 13, 2023.
- Anton Turkalj: Submission (rear-naked choke) at UFC 279 on September 10, 2022.
Recent Losses
- Curtis Blaydes: Knockout at UFC 299 on March 9, 2024.
Why the Matchup Makes Sense
Almeida is a top contender in the heavyweight division with strong grappling skills. A fight between Almeida and Spivac would be intriguing due to both fighters' submission prowess and their shared ability to control opponents on the ground. This bout would be a clash of grappling specialists and could determine who advances further up the heavyweight rankings.
2. Curtis Blaydes
- Record: 18 wins, 4 losses
- UFC Ranking: #3 in the UFC heavyweight division (as of last update)
Recent Wins
- Derrick Lewis: Submission (arm-triangle choke) at UFC Fight Night 197 on February 4, 2023.
- Chris Daukaus: TKO (punches) at UFC Fight Night 198 on March 26, 2022.
Recent Losses
- Sergei Pavlovich: TKO at UFC Fight Night 222 on April 22, 2023.
Why the Matchup Makes Sense
Curtis Blaydes is one of the top wrestlers in the heavyweight division, known for his powerful
takedowns and ground-and-pound. A fight between Blaydes and Spivac would be a battle of top-tier grapplers, showcasing contrasting styles in wrestling and submission. This bout could serve as a potential title eliminator or a chance for Spivac to climb into the top echelon of the division.
3. Sergei Pavlovich
- Record: 18 wins, 3 losses
- UFC Ranking: #4 in the UFC heavyweight division
Recent Wins
Tai Tuivasa: KO (punches) at UFC on ESPN 42 on December 3, 2022.
Derrick Lewis: TKO (punches) at UFC 277 on July 30, 2022.
Recent Losses
- Alexander Volkov: Decision (unanimous) at UFC on ABC 6 on June 22, 2024.
- Tom Aspinall: KO (punches) at UFC 295 on November 11, 2023 (for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship).
Why the Matchup Makes Sense
Sergei Pavlovich is known for his knockout power and aggressive striking. A bout between Pavlovich and Spivac would be a high-stakes clash of styles, with Pavlovich’s striking against Spivac’s grappling. Given Pavlovich’s recent performances and Spivac’s rising status, this matchup could be a significant step toward a title shot for the winner.
