Ukrainian UFC 6 player Pavlo, who is a streamer and content creator for the YouTube channel Playoff2k, managed to take first place in the global rankings of the Online Career mode.
Unlike regular Ranked Online, in Online Career, players create their own fighters, develop their stats, select perks and abilities, and step into battle against other users. It was in this mode that Pavlo created his unusual fighter — Taras Shevchenko, who became one of the main characters of his content.
The Players editorial team talked with Pavlo about his journey to fighting games and UFC, hundreds of ranked fights and the path to top-1, the features of Online Career, creating the Kobzar, real UFC, the Ukrainian community, and the prospects of the discipline in Ukraine. We also found out who Taras Hryhorovych would like to have his first fight in the octagon with.
From Tekken and Mortal Kombat to UFC 6
— Hi, tell us a little about yourself. How did you get into fighting games and UFC in general?
Hi! I'm Pavlo, a streamer and content creator for the Playoff2k YouTube channel. Back in childhood, I discovered fighting games like Tekken and Mortal Kombat at a local gaming club. Unfortunately, visiting the club was a rare thing, and I didn't have a console at home, but it stuck deeply in my mind, and I really liked it...
20 years passed, I'm now a grown man with a family and my own business, but I couldn't let go of childhood whims, so I bought myself a PlayStation for the sake of one game, UFC, and dedicated part of myself to streaming and YouTube.
I came to sports simulators and fighting games through a love for real sports — I always liked the dynamics where everything depends purely on your reaction, cool head, and preparation, rather than on the actions of a team.
— Why UFC in particular? What caught your attention about this game back in the day?
UFC caught me with its depth and simulation of real martial arts. It's not just button-mashing — it's ultra-high-speed chess, where any mistake, incorrectly chosen distance, or lack of stamina immediately leads to a knockout.
— Before UFC 6, did you play previous parts of the series, or did you start with this one?
I played UFC 5, spending hundreds of hours there. So by the release of the new part, I already had a solid foundation, understanding of distance and timing.
— You mentioned playing Tekken and Mortal Kombat; do you play other genres at all?
Outside of fighting games, I like deep PC strategies, like Total War.
Path to Top 1
— What did your path to top-1 look like? How long did it take you to reach this result?
It was long and systematic work: thousands of ranked fights, mistake analysis, and dissecting opponents' gameplay. Main thing — discipline and the ability to maintain concentration even during a series of tough fights.
— I saw on the stream that you encountered opponents with whom you already had a long history of rivalry. What is it like to play against such opponents again? Do you memorize their styles?
Yes, at a high level, the circle of players narrows, and you start recognizing nicknames. I definitely memorize their patterns: someone likes to spam low kicks, someone immediately goes for a clinch or takedown. Repeated fights are always principled "duels of minds" where you need to adapt quickly.
— How hard is it to stay at the top?
Holding on is always harder than getting there. Everyone knows how you play, they study your favorite combinations, plus the competition at the top of the leaderboard is crazy. You need to constantly improve your gameplay.
And what is critical — the ranking system in UFC is connected not only to your win rate, but also to the number of fights conducted in a season, which complicates my progression because I lack time for constant gaming.
— In your opinion, what distinguishes a top UFC player from just a good one?
A good player knows the mechanics and combinations very well. A top player can read the opponent's intentions one step ahead, controls stamina (stamina management), and closes the fight in a single timing when the opponent makes the slightest mistake.
— What is more important for victory: knowledge of mechanics, reaction, tactics, or the ability to read the opponent?
A balance of everything, but at the top level, tactics and the ability to read the opponent decide. All top players have reaction and mechanics, but outplaying with thinking — that's the key to victory.
— How should one train to really start winning in ranked fights?
Analyze your losses. Play against stronger opponents, practice takedown defense, and learn to counterattack.
— What mistake do beginners make most often?
Constant spamming of heavy strikes. This instantly burns stamina, after which the player becomes easy prey for a single precise counterpunch.
— Is there any technique or tactic that you consider underrated?
Jab work, feints, and fakes. Few beginners break the opponent's rhythm with a simple jab or force them to make a mistake with fakes.
— And what, on the contrary, do players overestimate too much?
Wild and spectacular spinning strikes, spinning kicks. They take a lot of energy and are easily punished with a counterattack with proper defense.
How the Kobzar Ended Up in the Octagon
— Tell us technically about your Shevchenko: what weight class, fighting style, main stats?
Weight class: Middleweight. The fighter is currently adapted for a universal style, but for the sake of stream content, I sometimes change the build to show viewers some mechanics and fighting styles.
Main stats: high Punch Power, Chin Strength, and excellent stamina control.
— Which stats did you upgrade first and why?
First of all — striking technique, stamina, durability (chin strength), and Takedown Defense. In the octagon, it's important to dictate your rules standing up and not let the opponent drag you into the ground, unless, of course, grappling is upgraded.
Actually, it all depends on which element you're better at. If you can grapple well, you make an uncompromising grappler build. If you're better on your feet, you make a striker with an emphasis on hands.
By default, I wrestle fairly well on the ground, but for stream content, I made a hybrid build, although from a game mechanics perspective, that's incorrect. It's harder for me to fight in this build than in builds focused purely on striking or wrestling, but that's exactly why the fights become much more interesting for both me and the viewers.
— What perks and abilities did you give him?
Nothing special, just basic perks to boost stats. The build is mediocre right now, without an emphasis on the striker or grappler aspect.
Unbreakable (Flow State Perk): Gives increased resistance to stuns when I have less health than the opponent. The bonus activates through sways and lunges in the stand-up.
Hunter: Improves footwork when moving forward and sideways, allowing you to constantly pressure the opponent and cut angles. The bonus activates when the opponent is backed against the cage.
Tank: Significantly strengthens the block while standing still or pressing forward. The bonus activates upon precise strikes to the head right after a successful block.
— How long did character creation take? What turned out to be the hardest part?
It took 5 hours to adjust the appearance and details. The hardest part was conveying the characteristic look and facial features through the character creator so that Kobzar looked recognizable and stern. And the appearance configurator in the game is quite a piece of shit.
— Does playing specifically as Taras Hryhorovych add motivation? Does it ever happen that you want to tilt, but you realize you can't let him down?
One hundred percent! Playing as such an image, you have no right to just give away a fight or give up. It adds sporting rage and discipline during tough rounds.
— Does it ever happen that someone recognized the character and wrote to you?
Yes, constantly! Viewers and online opponents often write in chat or private messages: "Is that Kobzar?!", repost clips. It causes huge resonance and positivity in the community.
— How much do you like Taras Hryhorovych's work? Is there something you particularly like among his works?
Taras Hryhorovych is an absolute symbol of resilience and strength of spirit. From his work, I like "Kavkaz" (The Caucasus) the most for its uncompromising energy, power of the word, and the famous "Fight — and you shall overcome!", which fits perfectly with the philosophy of octagon fights.
— If you could add another Ukrainian historical figure to UFC 6, who would it be?
If choosing among historical figures — definitely Koshovyi Otaman Ivan Sirko. Sirko is a legendary warrior who never lost a single battle, an absolute mental monster for the octagon. But unfortunately, the game hasn't introduced the "Oseledets" haircut and Cossack sharovary yet (smiles).
UFC 6 and the Real Octagon
— Do you watch real UFC yourself? Which real fighters do you follow the most?
Yes, I closely follow major UFC events, numbered tournaments. I watch top fighters, as well as Ukrainian fighters in the UFC, such as Yaroslav Amosov and Danylo Donchenko.
— Does watching real fights help you play better in UFC 6? Does it happen that you see some move or combination in real UFC and then try to repeat it in the game?
Definitely. But still, a game is a game, so there is a difference. Yes, I often try out specific punch combinations (for example, jab-cross-low kick or feints transitioning into a high kick) in training, and then bring that into ranked fights.
— Do you watch fights specifically from a gameplay perspective — analyzing distance, timing, defense, footwork?
A professional eye forces you to pay attention to footwork, counterattack timing, and how fighters distribute energy over 5 rounds.
Ukrainian Community and the Future of UFC
— Is there a Ukrainian community in UFC 6? How big is it? Where should a new player go?
The Ukrainian community is actively growing and forming around my channel, because, unfortunately, UFC streamers in Ukraine who make quality content are very few. I'm always happy to see all fans and beginners on my streams on the Playoff2k YouTube channel and in our TG community, where we chat, share experience, plan joint activities, and train.
— Do you think a full-fledged esports scene around UFC could form in Ukraine?
Yes, the potential is great, because martial arts are very much loved in Ukraine. Unfortunately, in our turbulent times, many guys-fans have to defend our land from the aggressor and don't have the time or energy to pay attention to the game, although among my subscribers there are many military personnel, to whom I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to live in relative safety and do my affairs, including streams, to somehow entertain them and distract them from bad thoughts.
— Do you see this discipline as a tournament one?
Absolutely. With the right ruleset and balance, UFC is an extremely spectacular esport.
— Are you ready to lead the UFC tournament movement?
Yes, I am ready to support, develop, and act as an organizer or ambassador for Ukrainian UFC tournaments.
— Ready to challenge the best players in Europe?
Always ready. Fights with the strongest European players are the best way to test your level. Unfortunately, top European streamers spend more time on ranked with licensed fighters rather than custom-created ones, so we rarely share the octagon.
Beyond the Game
— How do you manage to combine work and streaming?
Discipline, clear time management, and a sincere love for what you do. When content is your calling, time is always found.
— What would you say in a school for kids about gaming and streaming?
Streaming and gaming are not just entertainment or "wasting time," as it seems to many. It is a serious discipline that develops strategic thinking, decision-making speed, self-discipline, and the ability to communicate with people.
But the main thing I always tell young people: games shouldn't replace real life, they should complement it. A true champion knows how to maintain a balance between sports, studies, and the virtual octagon.
What's Next After Top 1?
— What is your next goal after top-1? Simply holding first place, or do you want to achieve something bigger?
Develop the UFC esports direction in Ukraine, grow my own Playoff2k channel, make quality Ukrainian-language content, and unite players around it.
— And finally. If Taras Hryhorovych actually stepped into the octagon — who would you want to see his first fight against?
100% against Pushkin (smiles and so do we)
I make fun content first and foremost, and secondly I'm charged up for esports; I try to combine these two aspects on streams.
— We are very grateful to you for such a sincere and warm interview. Our editorial team wishes you success and even more victories — both with Hryhorovych in the octagon and in your personal life.
Thank you, and to you as well.
Pavlo reached first place in the global ranking, but it seems he doesn't plan to stop there. Ahead is the development of his own channel, the Ukrainian UFC community, and potential tournaments. In the meantime, Kobzar continues to step into the octagon and prove that "Fight — and you shall overcome!" can work even in a virtual world.
Ukrainian esports is gradually opening up more and more opportunities for those who are ready not only to play, but also to build a community around themselves. And we want to believe that Pavlo will become one of those who will help this scene grow — perhaps no longer just as a player, but also as an organizer of his own tournaments, author of projects, and a person opening the way for the next generation of Ukrainian esports athletes. Because the best moment to start building the Ukrainian scene is right when its representatives are already proving their strength on the world stage.
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