Overview

• Top-5 heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich meets rising contender Waldo Cortes-Acosta on Saturday at UFC Shanghai in a main-card matchup with ranking implications.
• Pavlovich remains the betting favorite after opening near -245, though lines have narrowed across books to roughly -236 to -275 as some bettors back the underdog.
• Oddsmakers set the total at 1.5 rounds with the over favored, signaling expectations the bout could extend beyond the opening frame.
• Pavlovich emphasized a rebuilt, three-round approach after a February decision over Jairzinho Rozenstruik, describing a game plan that mixes measured striking and situational wrestling.
• Cortes-Acosta enters on a five-fight UFC streak and an 8-1 promotional record since Dana White’s Contender Series, including a recent decision over Serghei Spivac, as he seeks a breakthrough against a top-five opponent.