UFC 295 will see Sergei Pavlovich take on Tom Aspinall for the interim UFC heavyweight title. Prior to the fight being announced, Jon Jones was set to take on Stipe Miocic at the event. However, Jones suffered a torn pectoral tendon and the bout had to be canceled. Now, fans will be looking to see the two rising stars in the heavyweight division clash inside the Octagon.

Pavlovich is on a 6-fight winning streak in the UFC. All of his finishes have come via KO/TKO. His incredible knockout power stands out in a division where everyone can hit just as hard. But his exceptional reach may be a contributing factor in his string of finishes. Let’s take a look at how he compares to other MMA fighters like Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou in terms of wingspan!

Sergei Pavlovich and his reach compared to other UFC fighters

Ape Index, in the context of fighters, assesses the arm span concerning their height. Typically, a person’s arm span matches their height, resulting in a neutral ratio for the average individual.

For the average boxer, their arm span exceeds that of an ordinary person by approximately 2.5 inches, leading to an Ape Index of 2.5 inches. It’s crucial to understand that boxing doesn’t actually lengthen a person’s arms. Instead, individuals with longer arms possess a reach advantage, increasing their likelihood of pursuing a boxing career compared to those without this advantage.

Sergei Pavlovich holds the distinction of having the highest Ape Index in UFC history! Even when compared to fighters like Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou, Pavlovich dwarfs them when it comes to their Ape Indexes. Here’s a small chart detailing the length, reach, and ape index of notable UFC fighters:

Fighters                  Height   Reach     Ape Index

Sergei Pavlovich    6’3″       84″              +9.0″

Jon Jones                 6’4″       84.5″          +8.5″

Kevin Lee                 5’9″        77″              +8.0″

Francis Ngannou   6’4″       83″              +7.0″

While Jon Jones technically has a longer reach than Pavlovich by .5 inches, his Ape Index puts him well behind the heavyweight knockout artist! Francis Ngannou is taller than Pavlovich but has a shorter Ape Index than Kevin Lee, a former UFC lightweight! This chart highlights the fact that reach is a tool that is only as good as the fighter using it.

Fighters who have succeeded despite shorter Ape Index

Reach, height and weight are all important factors to determine a fighter’s style and success. Traditional wisdom from sources like boxing manuals indicates that fighters with longer reaches generally have an easier time controlling distance.

However, shorter fighters with a reach disadvantage have also been very successful as evidenced by Mike Tyson and his usage of the ‘peek-a-boo’ style in boxing. In the world of MMA, fighters like Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Frankie Edgar are all known for their ability to dictate the distance of the fight.

Volkanovski stands out on the list as he routinely demolishes fighters who are taller and rangier than him. As evidenced by his incredible knockout of Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290. In the Octagon, Volkanovski stands at a mere five-foot-six, which is significantly shorter than many of his opponents.

Read More: Tom Aspinall Height and Reach: How Tall Is the UFC Heavyweight?

Most of the time, the featherweight champion adopts a counterattacking strategy, even permitting his taller rivals to push him backward. When he decides to apply pressure, he does so meticulously and patiently, advancing one measured step at a time, avoiding a reckless rush into close quarters. However, Pavlovich does not share many of these concerns and can swing for the fences if he wishes to.

With UFC 295 just days away, it’ll be interesting for the fans to see if Tom Aspinall can deal with the reach and the power Pavlovich brings into the matchup.

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