MMA News

Tag: Oleg Popov

  • “May We Never Have To Witness That Fight Ever Again” – Fans Left In Foul Mood As Oleg Popov Outlasts Alexandr Romanov In Clinch-Filled Battle To Win Heavyweight PFL World Tournament

    “May We Never Have To Witness That Fight Ever Again” – Fans Left In Foul Mood As Oleg Popov Outlasts Alexandr Romanov In Clinch-Filled Battle To Win Heavyweight PFL World Tournament

    After coming up short in last year’s PFL heavyweight season, a loss to Denis Goltsov that snapped a long winning streak, Oleg Popov has avenged himself and become 2025 heavyweight PFL World Tournament champion with a split decision win over Alexandr Romanov in Hollywood, Florida.

    Popov focused on low kicks and right hands, while Romanov answered with pressure, landing knees and short punches on the inside. Both men had their moments early on, trading strikes and battling for control in tight clinch battles.

    Though Popov did more work in the first three rounds, Romanov surged late in round four with a furious flurry. Popov weathered the storm, however, and came back with strong strikes in the fifth.

    One judge scored the bout for Romanov 48-47, while the other two scored the bout for Popov 48-47 and 49-46 to give the Fedor Emelianenko protegee the heavyweight title.

    Oleg Popov Captures World Tournament Title With Split Decision Win Over Alexandr Romanov

    Popov made it to the finals with victories over Karl Williams and Rodrigo Nascimento.

    Romanov, a UFC veteran who started his career 16-0, advanced to the final with a win over Tim Johnson and a no contest with former Bellator interim champion Valentin Moldavsky (Romanov advanced through a judges’ decision)

  • ‘Complete Control’ – Fans React To Dominant, Classic Oleg Popov Performance As He Clinches Spot In PFL World Tournament Final At PFL Chicago

    ‘Complete Control’ – Fans React To Dominant, Classic Oleg Popov Performance As He Clinches Spot In PFL World Tournament Final At PFL Chicago

    Oleg Popov is known for his brute strength and overwhelming wrestling, and those were on display as he defeated Rodrigo Nascimento in the semifinals of the PFL World Tournament at heavyweight during the preliminary card of PFL Chicago.

    From the start, Popov smothered Nascimento with his grappling pressure, setting up low kicks before taking him down more than once during the opening frame, and keeping Nascimento seated against the fence. Nascimento tried to fight back with combinations during the second, but Popov continued his relentless pressure and worked him well on the ground.

    Popov appeared to do damage during the third round, rocking Nascimento with his punches, before continuing his grappling success en route to a one-sided decision.

    Oleg Popov Dominates His Way Over Rodrigo Nascimento To Earn Finals Spot In PFL World Tournament

    Popov earned his spot in tonight’s semifinals after defeating Karl Williams in the first round in May. Popov made the finals of last year’s heavyweight tournament before his win streak was snapped at the hands of Denis Goltsov.

    Nascimento, who joined the PFL after parting ways with the UFC at the end of last year, has now lost three of his last four. He earned his semifinal spot with a win over Abraham Bably in May.

  • 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.