Preview: 2023 PFL Championships

PFL Heavyweight Championship

Denis Goltsov (32-7, 10-2 PFL) vs. Renan Ferreira (11-3, 5-1 PFL)

Goltsov cruised to the 2023 PFL Championships, earning first-round finishes against Cezar Ferreira, Yorgan De Castro and Jordan Heiderman. While that is not exactly a murderer’s row of opposition, credit the Russian veteran for performing as expected—not always a given in MMA. The former combat sambo champion has only lost to past champions Ante Delija and Ali Isaev in PFL competition, and he is rightfully the favorite in this year’s heavyweight field. On the feet, Goltsov works behind a skilled jab and a variety of kicks, but he is at his best upon closing the distance. From there, he is capable of executing a variety of trips and takedowns to get his opponent to the canvas, where he is a skilled offensive wrestler who uses ground-and-pound to set up submission attempts.

At 6-foot-8 with an 85-inch reach, Ferreira is perhaps the PFL’s most imposing heavyweight. When presented with the right opponent, the Brazilian delivers on that promise behind powerful straight punches and dangerous kicks. While “Problema” has finished Matheus Scheffel and Maurice Greene inside of a round in his last two outings, the matchup with Goltsov is not nearly as favorable. Ferreira has the edge in striking, but Goltsov is more than competent enough to tread water until he can get the fight to his preferred distance. In losses against the likes of Rizvan Kuniev and Klidson Abrueu (both were later overturned), Ferreira became frustrated when he was forced to rely on his defensive wrestling and grappling.

Goltsov will want to be conservative early, because that is when Ferreira has the best chance of landing something for a quick knockout. As the bout progresses, however, “The Russian Bogatyr” will eventually be able to navigate the seven-inch reach deficit and put Ferreira in uncomfortable situations. The longer the fight goes, the more it favors Goltsov, who will be able to impose his will in the clinch and on the canvas. Goltsov by submission is the pick.

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Aubin-Mercier vs. Collard
Goltsov vs. Ferreira
Pacheco vs. Mokhnatkina
Sy vs. Magomedkerimov
Silveira vs. Kasanganay
Harrison vs. Ladd
Cooper vs. Brunson
The Prelims