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Tag: Denis Goltsov

  • “Textbook Performance” – Fans React To Corey Anderson In Complete Control Of Denis Goltsov In Heavyweight Return At PFL Champions Series 2

    “Textbook Performance” – Fans React To Corey Anderson In Complete Control Of Denis Goltsov In Heavyweight Return At PFL Champions Series 2

    Corey Anderson appeared to make a statement in his first heavyweight bout in years, making relatively easy work of Denis Goltsov to open up the PFL Champions Series 2 card portion of PFL Cape Town.

    The fight started with both men exchanging jabs and low kicks, but it was Goltsov who initially controlled the clinch exchanges against the fence. Anderson reversed position and scored a takedown, controlling Goltsov along the cage. Despite Goltsov managing to get back to his feet multiple times, Anderson’s grappling pressure was relentless.

    In round two, Anderson continued to press before scoring another takedown. This time, he was able to take advantage of Goltsov’s fatigue and get into full mount, landing ground-and-pound from there and side control until the ref stepped in.

    Corey Anderson Stops Denis Goltsov At PFL Cape Town

    This was Anderson’s first fight since defeating Karl Moore for the Bellator light heavyweight championship last year. It was also his first heavyweight bout since competing on, and winning, season 19 of The Ultimate Fighter.

    This was Goltsov’s first fight since finishing previously-unbeaten Oleg Popov to become the 2024 PFL heavyweight champion.

  • 2024 PFL World Championship Results & Highlights: Khizriev Dominates Loughnane, Ditcheva Stops Santos

    2024 PFL World Championship Results & Highlights: Khizriev Dominates Loughnane, Ditcheva Stops Santos

    The 2024 PFL World Championship took place on Friday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action!

    This week saw the Professional Fighters League back in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to crown its title winners for this year โ€” both PFL Global and PFL MENA โ€” following the conclusion of the regular season and semifinals.

    After a set of showcase bouts featuring the likes of Costello van Steenis, Slim Trabelsi, and Mansour Barnaoui, four inaugural kings were crowned as part of the promotion’s Middle East and North Africa expansion.

    The main card followed, with six fighters on the global roster walking away with championship gold and $1 million in prize money.

    Brendan Loughnane and Impa Kasanganay both failed in their bid to experience that for the second time, with the featherweight suffering a lopsided five-round loss to Timur Khizriev in the main event and the light heavyweight standout falling victim to Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov’s power in under a minute.

    Perhaps the most intriguing clash on the lineup came in the co-headliner, meanwhile, as the undefeated Dakota Ditcheva faced the toughest test of her blossoming career thus far. She ultimately followed her PFL Europe success last year with global glory, getting the better of former UFC title challenger Taila Santos in shockingly dominant fashion.

    With that said, see below for the full results, followed by all the best highlights.

    2024 PFL World Championship Results

    PFL World Championship Card:

    • Featherweight Championship: Timur Khizriev def. Brendan Loughnane via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
    • Womenโ€™s Flyweight Championship: Dakota Ditcheva def. Taila Santos via TKO (body punches): R2, 4:41
    • Light Heavyweight Championship: Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov def. Impa Kasanganay via TKO (punches): R1, 0:58
    • Welterweight Championship: Shamil Musaev def. Magomed Umalatov via TKO (punches): R3, 1:44
    • Lightweight Championship: Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Brent Primus via KO (punches): R3, 2:31
    • Heavyweight Championship: Denis Goltsov def. Oleg Popov via submission (triangle choke): R1, 2:51

    PFL MENA Championship Card:

    • MENA Featherweight Championship: Abdullah Al-Qahtani def. Maraoune Bellagouit via TKO: R1
    • MENA Welterweight Championship: Omar El Dafrawy def. Mohammad Alaqraa via KO (hammerfists): R2, 0:57
    • Amateur Womenโ€™s Atomweight: Hattan Alsaif def. Lilia Osmani via TKO (knees): R2, 1:37
    • MENA Bantamweight Championship: Ali Taleb def. Rachid El Hazoume via KO (punches): R1, 1:25
    • MENA Lightweight Championship: Mohsen Mohammadseifi def. Georges Eid via unanimous decision

    Showcase Fight Card:

    • Lightweight: Mansour Barnaoui def. Alfie Davis via submission (rear-naked choke): R3, 3:41
    • Heavyweight: Slim Trabelsi def. Abraham Bably via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
    • Featherweight: Gabriel Braga def. Jeremy Kennedy via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
    • Featherweight: Asael Adjoudj def. Jose Perez via submission (guillotine choke): R3, 1:10
    • Middleweight: Costello van Steenis def. Joao Dantas via KO (head kick): R1, 0:48

    Costello van Steenis Def. Joao Dantas

    Asael Adjoudj Def. Jose Perez

    Gabriel Braga Def. Jeremy Kennedy

    Slim Trabelsi Def. Abraham Bably

    Mansour Barnaoui Def. Alfie Davis

    Mohsen Mohammadseifi Def. Georges Eid

    Ali Taleb Def. Rachid El Hazoume

    Hattan Alsaif Def. Lilia Osmani

    Omar El Dafrawy Def. Mohammad Alaqraa

    Abdullah Al-Qahtani Def. Maraoune Bellagouit

    Denis Goltsov Def. Oleg Popov

    Gadzhi Rabadanov Def. Brent Primus

    Shamil Musaev Def. Magomed Umalatov

    Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov Def. Impa Kasanganay

    Dakota Ditcheva Def. Taila Santos

    Timur Khizriev Def. Brendan Loughnane

  • Potential Francis Ngannou Opponent Emerges As Denis Goltsov Nets Shock Submission To Win 2024 PFL Heavyweight Title

    Potential Francis Ngannou Opponent Emerges As Denis Goltsov Nets Shock Submission To Win 2024 PFL Heavyweight Title

    Heavyweight veteran Denis Goltsov finally went all the way, stunning Oleg Popov with a shock submission win at the 2024 PFL World Championship.

    The Russian produced three consecutive finishes this season to make it back to the finals in what marked his fifth season shooting for glory in the PFL SmartCage.

    Against Popov, he faced an opponent who certainly isn’t used to losing. And beyond just the shock of defeat, not many would have predicted this finish.

    Popov secured an early takedown but didn’t threaten with much offense from the top position. His opponent then popped the commentators by throwing up a triangle attempt from the bottom.

    After adjusting his submission, the referee eventually stepped in to pull Goltsov off of his unconscious opponent.

    The commentary team initially believed the newly crowned champ was retiring after he took his gloves off immediately after the win, but Goltsov later clarified that this isn’t the case.

    After some prompting from Dan Hardy, the Russian said he wants to fight Francis Ngannou next year after the former UFC champion made his PFL debut in October, stopping Renan Ferreira in the first round.

    With the likes of Vadim Nemkov and Ante Delija being matched for January next year in Dubai, Goltsov has certainly emerged as the frontrunner for being “The Predator’s” next opponent in the PFL.

  • VIDEO: PFL Finalists Have First Faceoffs In Riyadh Ahead of 2024 Championship

    VIDEO: PFL Finalists Have First Faceoffs In Riyadh Ahead of 2024 Championship

    The fighters set to compete for gold at this year’s PFL World Championship stood toe to toe days out from their title showdowns in the Middle East.

    After completing its main and regional seasons,ย itโ€™s championship time for the Professional Fighters League. Before the sophomore PFL Europe champions are crowned next month, the global and MENA kings โ€” as well as one queen โ€” will be decided.

    A long lineup featuring plenty of notable names is set for the 2024 PFL World Championship this Friday, Nov. 29 at the King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    Following a series of showcase fights and four MENA finals, six global champions will emerge on the main card, where the headline spots have gone to a pair ofย UK standouts in 2022 PFL featherweight king Brendan Loughnaneย and last year’s PFL Europe flyweight champ Dakota Ditcheva, who are slated to collide with Timur Khizriev at featherweight and Taila Santos, respectively.

    Ahead of the main and co-main events, those fighters faced off under the observation of former UFC title challenger Dan Hardy this week, as did heavyweights Denis Goltsov and Oleg Popov, light heavyweights Impa Kasanganay and Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov, welterweights Magomed Umalatov and Shamil Musaev, and lightweights Brent Primus and Gadzhi Rabadanov.

    Before those matchups play out inside the SmartCage, MENA gold will be wrapped around waists for the very first time, with the likes of Abdullah Al-Qahtani and Ali Taleb looking to end their 2024 campaigns with title glory in Riyadh.

    Meanwhile, the showcase bouts that will kick off proceedings at 7:15 AM ET on ESPN+ will include the return of 2023 featherweight title winner Jesus Pinedo, the next fight for top Bellator middleweight contender Costello van Steenis, and an outing for undefeated heavyweight Slim Trabelsi.

    For the first time, the PFL championship matchups will see the fighters permitted to throw elbows, which have previously been banned throughout the season and playoff format.

  • 2024 PFL 7 Playoffs Results & Highlights: Denis Goltsov TKOs Tim Johnson, Dakota Ditcheva Stays Unbeaten

    2024 PFL 7 Playoffs Results & Highlights: Denis Goltsov TKOs Tim Johnson, Dakota Ditcheva Stays Unbeaten

    PFL kicked off its 2024 playoffs on August 2 with matchups from the heavyweight and women’s flyweight divisions. MMA News has the results here!

    The promotion held the event at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. In the main event, Denis Goltsov moved to the final of the playoffs in a heavyweight matchup against Tim Johnson.

    The Russian took his opponent down within two minutes of the fight and got into full mount. Goltsov landed 22 ground strikes from the top position to get the TKO win.

    Elsewhere on the card, Dakota Ditcheva faced Jena Bishop in a women’s flyweight bout in the co-main event. The fight lasted one round, with Ditcheva getting a TKO victory after landing a knee and a few punches to get the referee to step in.

    PFL 7: Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson Fight Card Results

    Main card (ESPN+ & ESPN):

    • Heavyweight: Denis Goltsov def. Tim Johnson via TKO: R1, 2:26
    • Women’s Flyweight: Dakota Ditcheva def. Jena Bishop via TKO: R1, 3:54
    • Heavyweight: Oleg Popov def. Linton Vassell via Unanimous Decision (30-27×3)
    • Women’s Flyweight: Taila Santos def. Liz Carmouche via Unanimous Decision (29-27×3)

    Preliminary card (ESPN+):

    • Heavyweight: Sergey Bilostenniy def. Tyrell Fortune via Submission (Heel Hook): R1, 2:00
    • Featherweight: Alexei Pergande def. Daniel Boehle via Unanimous Decision (30-27×3)
    • Featherweight: Cody Law def. Zachary Hicks via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke): R1, 3:15
    • Catchweight(163lbs): Dedrek Sanders def. Sergio Cossio via KO: R1, 2:34
    • Catchweight(173lbs): Anthony Ivy def. Jaleel Willis via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke): R2, 4:49
    • Welterweight: Kevin Pease def. Nick Meck via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)

    Main Card Highlights

    Denis Goltsov def. Tim Johnson

    Dakota Ditcheva def. Jena Bishop

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Sergey Bilostenniy def. Tyrell Fortune

    Cody Law def. Zachary Hicks

    Dedrek Sanders def. Sergio Cossio

    Anthony Ivy def. Jaleel Willis

  • 2024 PFL 7 Playoffs: Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson Weigh-In Results: Liz Carmouche Misses Weight

    2024 PFL 7 Playoffs: Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson Weigh-In Results: Liz Carmouche Misses Weight

    PFL returns this Friday to kick off the 2024 playoffs with matchups from the heavyweight and women’s flyweight divisions. Before they can compete, they must weigh in today, and MMA News has the results here!

    Everyone on the main card made weight successfully except for Liz Carmouche. She was one pound over the women’s flyweight limit for her bout against Taila Santos. However, the matchup will still occur, but Carmouche will lose a point on the judges scorecards.

    The preliminary card as several fighters that also missed weight. Jaleel Willis and Anthony Ivy missed the welterweight limit for their fight against each other. They will compete in a catchweight bout and will be deducted a percentage of their purse. Sergio Cossio failed to make weight, as he was over six pounds for his lightweight fight taking on Dedrek Sanders.

    All fighters that missed weight will lose a percentage of their purse.

    PFL 7 Main & Co Main Event Preview

    DraftKings currently has the former Bellator heavyweight title contender as a +310 underdog. That said, Johnson has shown in his last three fights that he is still a threat at age 39. Both fighters are known to want to finish their opponents, so fans should be prepared for a potential early knockout.

    Elsewhere on the card, Dakota Ditcheva will take on Jena Bishop in a women’s flyweight playoff bout. Ditcheva comes into the matchup undefeated with 12 wins and entered the season as one of the favorites to win the PFL women’s flyweight championship. Bishop will try to shock the MMA community by ending her win streak this Friday and advance to the final. However, it will be a difficult task as Ditcheva will have a significant height and reach advantage.

    PFL 7 will occur at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The main card will start at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT, while the preliminary card will kick the event off at 5:30 PM ET/2:30 PM PT.

    PFL 7: Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson Weigh-In Results

    (Fight Card Is Subject To Change)

    Main card (ESPN+ & ESPN):

    • Heavyweight: Denis Goltsov (247.6 lbs) vs. Tim Johnson (265.8 lbs)
    • Women’s Flyweight: Dakota Ditcheva (125.2 lbs) vs. Jena Bishop (125.2 lbs)
    • Heavyweight: Oleg Popov (247.2 lbs) vs. Linton Vassell (248 lbs)
    • Women’s Flyweight: Taila Santos (125.2 lbs) vs. Liz Carmouche (127 lbs)*

    Preliminary card (ESPN+):

    • Heavyweight: Tyrell Fortune (255.6 lbs) vs. Sergey Bilostenniy (249.6 lbs)
    • Featherweight: Alexei Pergande (146 lbs) vs. Daniel Boehle (145.2 lbs)
    • Featherweight: Cody Law (145.4 lbs) vs. Zachary Hicks (145.6 lbs)
    • Lightweight: Sergio Cossio (162.8 lbs)* vs. Dedrek Sanders (155.25 lbs)
    • Welterweight: Jaleel Willis (172.6 lbs)* vs. Anthony Ivy (172 lbs)*
    • Welterweight: Kevin Pease (169.2 lbs) vs. Nick Meck (170.2 lbs)

    *Liz Carmouche missed the women’s flyweight limit by 1 pound

    *Sergio Cossio missed the lightweight limit by 6.8 pounds

    *Jaleel Willis missed the welterweight limit by 1.6 pounds

    *Anthony Ivy missed the welterweight limit by 1 pound