Alex Pereira will enter his second UFC heavyweight fight in an unfamiliar position. Oddsmakers have installed Sergei Pavlovich as the early favorite for their newly announced December showdown.The Sergei Pavlovich Alex Pereira UFC 335 betting line initially opened close. However, early money has already pushed the market further toward Pavlovich ahead of their five-round co-main event.
Sergei Pavlovich Opens as Favorite Over Alex Pereira
Sergei Pavlovich 21-3-0 opened as a -130 favorite at BetOnline. Pereira entered the market as a +111 underdog.
Those opening numbers gave Pavlovich an implied winning probability of approximately 56.5 percent. The market did not remain there for long.
Early betting support moved Pavlovich to approximately -164. That price represents an implied probability of roughly 62 percent before accounting for the sportsbook margin.
Different sportsbooks can carry slightly different numbers, and the odds will continue moving before fight night. The early trend, however, clearly favors Pavlovich.
Alex Pereira Returns After Difficult Heavyweight Debut
Alex Pereira 13-4-0 moved to heavyweight earlier this year after championship runs at middleweight and light heavyweight. His attempt to become the UFC’s first three-division champion ended against Ciryl Gane.
Gane stopped Pereira in the second round at UFC Freedom 250 in June. The defeat marked Pereira’s first heavyweight appearance inside the Octagon.
Instead of returning to light heavyweight, Pereira has chosen another dangerous heavyweight matchup. Pavlovich gives him an immediate opportunity to rebuild his position in the division.
Pereira’s career across multiple divisions has already made his UFC record one of the more unusual among modern champions.
Pavlovich Brings Three-Fight Winning Streak Into UFC 335
Pavlovich has rebuilt his heavyweight title case after consecutive defeats to Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov. He responded by putting together three straight victories.
His most recent performance produced the type of finish that originally made him one of heavyweight’s most feared contenders. Pavlovich knocked out Tallison Teixeira in only 39 seconds.
That victory followed wins over Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Waldo Cortes Acosta. Pavlovich now enters UFC 335 with considerably more recent heavyweight experience than Pereira.
His power also makes this an unforgiving matchup for the Brazilian. Both men have built much of their success around ending fights with strikes.
Why Oddsmakers Favor Pavlovich
The early line reflects more than Pavlovich’s knockout power. He is a natural heavyweight with years of experience against some of the division’s biggest fighters.
Pereira remains dangerous because of his elite kickboxing and finishing ability. However, his first heavyweight fight exposed the uncertainty surrounding his transition into the division.
Pavlovich has already competed for interim UFC gold and remains among the established names in the UFC heavyweight rankings. Pereira is still searching for his first UFC heavyweight victory.
The odds do not suggest an overwhelming mismatch. They instead show that bookmakers currently trust Pavlovich’s proven heavyweight résumé slightly more.
Pereira vs Pavlovich Gets Five Rounds at UFC 335
The UFC has booked Pereira and Pavlovich for five rounds despite the fight serving as the co-main event. That adds another interesting element to an already dangerous matchup.
Neither fighter normally needs 25 minutes to create damage. Pereira has carried his power through multiple divisions, while Pavlovich owns several rapid UFC knockouts.
UFC 335 takes place December 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It will be the promotion’s final numbered event of 2026.
The date was announced earlier alongside UFC 334 as part of the promotion’s late-2026 numbered event schedule.
Charles Oliveira vs Diego Lopes Headlines UFC 335
Pereira and Pavlovich will not headline the Las Vegas event. Charles Oliveira will defend his BMF title against Diego Lopes in the main event.
Oliveira also opened as the betting favorite. He started around -172 against Lopes at +146, although that market has already tightened.
Joe Pyfer vs Bo Nickal is another major fight announced for the card. Pyfer opened around -130, with Nickal listed at approximately +111.
Those three matchups give UFC 335 several close early betting lines. Pereira’s underdog status may attract the most attention because of his championship history and popularity.
What a Win Could Mean for Pavlovich or Pereira
The heavyweight championship picture gives this fight considerable importance. Pavlovich has already challenged for interim gold and could move back toward another title opportunity with a fourth consecutive victory.
Pereira has even more at stake. A second straight heavyweight defeat would make another championship run difficult, while beating an established contender would immediately restore momentum.
The division has changed considerably in 2026, making every major heavyweight result important. Both fighters therefore have more than a December victory on the line.
For now, the market sees Pavlovich as the more likely winner. Fight night will determine whether Pereira can once again upset expectations in a new weight class.
Final Thoughts
The Sergei Pavlovich Alex Pereira UFC 335 matchup already has an interesting betting story. Pavlovich opened as a slight favorite, and early action has pushed the line even further in his direction.
Pereira has spent much of his UFC career overcoming difficult challenges, but heavyweight presents a different test. Pavlovich brings natural size, proven power and a three-fight winning streak. Their five-round meeting could reshape the heavyweight title picture heading into 2027.
FAQs
Who is favored between Sergei Pavlovich and Alex Pereira?
Sergei Pavlovich opened as the betting favorite. Early betting action has since moved the line further in his favor.
When is Alex Pereira vs Sergei Pavlovich?
The heavyweight fight is scheduled for December 12 at UFC 335 in Las Vegas.
Is Pereira vs Pavlovich the UFC 335 main event?
No. It is scheduled as a five-round co-main event. Charles Oliveira vs Diego Lopes headlines the card.
Has Alex Pereira fought at heavyweight before?
Yes. Pereira made his UFC heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane earlier in 2026.
What other major fight is announced for UFC 335?
Joe Pyfer vs Bo Nickal is also scheduled for the December event.
