Wikipedia

Denis Goltsov

Denis Alexandrovich Goltsov (Russian: Денис Александрович Гольцов; born 10 June 1990) is a Russian sambo competitor, mixed martial artist, and former amateur boxer. As a sambist, Goltsov is a two-time world champion, two-time European champion, and three-time Russian champion. As a mixed martial artist, he is currently signed to the MMA promotion Professional Fighters League (PFL) in the heavyweight division, and was the 2024 PFL Heavyweight Champion.

Denis Goltsov
BornDenis Alexandrovich Goltsov
(1990-06-10) 10 June 1990 (age 34)
Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Native nameДенис Александрович Гольцов
Other namesThe Russian Bogatyr
NationalityRussian
Height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight246 lb (112 kg; 17 st 8 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
StyleCombat Sambo
Fighting out ofSaint Petersburg, Russia
TeamSambo-Piter
RankMaster of Sport in Boxing[1] Honored Master of Sports of Russia in Sambo[2]
Years active2010–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total44
Wins36
By knockout18
By submission12
By decision6
Losses8
By knockout4
By submission3
By decision1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  Russia
Amateur boxing
Russian Junior National Championship
Silver medal – second place 2008 Anapa +91 kg
Representing  Russia
Sambo
World Sambo Championships (FIAS)
Gold medal – first place 2016 Sofia +100 kg
Gold medal – first place 2017 Sochi +100 kg
Silver medal – second place 2021 Tashkent +98 kg
European Sambo Championship (ESF)
Gold medal – first place 2012 Moscow -100 kg
Gold medal – first place 2017 Minsk +100 kg
Russian Sambo Championships (FIAS)
Gold medal – first place 2016 Petrozavodsk +100 kg
Gold medal – first place 2019 Kazan +100 kg
Gold medal – first place 2021 Orenburg +100 kg
Silver medal – second place 2012 Moscow -100 kg
Silver medal – second place 2013 Gubkin +100 kg
Silver medal – second place 2017 Nizhny Novgorod +100 kg
Silver medal – second place 2024 Bryansk +100 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Ulan-Ude +100 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Khabarovsk +100 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2020 Cheboksary +100 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Perm +100 kg

Sambo career

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Denis Goltsov, originally from St. Petersburg, grew up in a sports-oriented family, though he initially lacked interest in team sports. At 15, inspired by his brother Sergei’s boxing trainer, he took up boxing and eventually earned a Master of Sport in the discipline, placing second in the national youth championship.[3][4]

Goltsov studied geology at Saint Petersburg State University but shifted his focus to combat sambo, joining a gym that specialized in mixed martial arts (MMA). His transition was highly successful: within three and a half years, he became the European champion in MMA and continued to secure victories on both national and international stages, making MMA his primary career by 2021.

In sambo, Goltsov won 11 Russian championship medals, including three gold. He earned European Championship gold in 2012 and 2017[5][6] and achieved World Championship gold in 2016 and 2017, along with a silver medal in 2021.[7][8] At the World Sambo Championships, Goltsov won the gold medal in 2016 and 2017[9][10] and the silver medal in 2021.[11]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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In 2010, Denis made his debut in M-1 Global, later moving to ProFC. Although facing the first defeat of his career, he continued to persevere, maintaining a 5-4 record across both leagues. His journey took him through various organizations until he found success in Tech-Krep FC, where he scored four consecutive victories. These wins positioned him as the top contender for the championship belt.[3]

Denis's pinnacle moment came on December 18, 2016, when he secured the ACA Heavyweight Championship by defeating Salimgerey Rasulov. However, his reign was short-lived, as he lost the title in the following match against Mukhumat Vakhaev. Despite setbacks, Denis rebounded, participating in fights in organizations such as RCC and League S-70. Eventually, he received an invitation to join the Professional Fighters League (PFL), signaling a new chapter in his MMA journey.[3]

Professional Fighters League

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2019 season

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Goltsov made his PFL debut against Jared Rosholt on June 6, 2019, at PFL 3. He won the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round.[12]

Goltsov faced Kelvin Tiller at PFL 6 on August 8, 2019, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He won the bout via ezekiel choke in the second round.[13][14]

Goltsov faced Satoshi Ishii in the 2019 heavyweight quarterfinal bout at PFL 9 on October 31, 2019. He won the fight by majority decision.[15] Heading into the semifinals, Goltsov faced Ali Isaev later in the night. He lost the bout in the third round by technical knockout.[16]

2021 season

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Goltsov faced Muhammed DeReese at PFL 3 on May 6, 2021.[17] He had originally been scheduled to face Justin Willis on the card, but Willis was pulled from the bout after the weigh-ins due to being not medically cleared and replaced by DeReese.[18] Goltsov won the bout via first-round technical knockout.[19]

Goltsov faced Brandon Sayles on June 25, 2021, at PFL 6. He won the bout by first-round technical knockout.[20]

Goltsov faced Ante Delija on August 19, 2021, at PFL 8. He lost the belt by unanimous decision.[21]

2022 season

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Goltsov was scheduled to face Sam Kei on April 28, 2022, at PFL 2.[22] However, Kei would later pull out of the bout and was replaced by Cody Goodale.[23] Goltsov won the bout via first-round TKO.[24]

Goltsov faced Maurice Greene on June 24, 2022, at PFL 5.[25] He won the bout via unanimous decision, having out-wrestled Greene throughout the bout.[26]

Goltsov was scheduled to face on 2021 PFL Champion Bruno Cappelozza on August 13, 2022, at PFL 8. However, after picking up an injury, Cappelozza was unable to continue in the tournament and replaced by Matheus Scheffel.[27] After visa issues forced Goltsov to pull out of his bout due to visa issues, he was replaced by Juan Adams.[28]

2023 season

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Ante Delija was scheduled to face Yorgan De Castro on April 7, 2023, at PFL 2. However, Delija pulled out due to injury and was replaced by Goltsov.[29] In turn, Goltsov withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Danilo Marques.[30]

Goltsov faced Cezar Ferreira on April 14, 2023, at PFL 3.[31] He won the bout in the first round by knockout via ground and pound.[32]

Goltsov faced Yorgan De Castro on June 16, 2023, at PFL 5.[33] He won the bout by knockout just 18 seconds into the first round.[34]

In the semi-finals, Goltsov faced Jordan Heiderman on August 18, 2023, at PFL 8.[35] He won the fight by arm-triangle choke in the first round.[36]

In the final, Goltsov faced Renan Ferreira on November 24, 2023, at PFL 10.[37] He lost the bout by second-round TKO.[38]

2024 season

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Goltsov faced Linton Vassell at PFL 1 on April 4, 2024 and won the fight by technical knockout.[39]

Goltsov was expected to face Sergei Bilostenniy at PFL 4 on June 13, 2024. However, Bilostenniy was removed from the fight for unknown reasons and was replaced by Thiago Santos.[40] Goltsov won the bout via TKO in the first round.[41]

Goltsov next faced Timothy Johnson in the semifinals of the 2024 Heavyweight tournament at PFL 7 on August 2, 2024. He won the bout via TKO in the first round.[42]

Goltsov next faced Oleg Popov in the finals of the 2024 Heavyweight tournament at PFL 10 on November 29, 2024 and won the tournament via a triangle choke submission in the first round.[43]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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Sambo

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
44 matches 36 wins 8 losses
By knockout 18 4
By submission 12 3
By decision 6 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 36–8 Oleg Popov Technical Submission (triangle choke) PFL 10 (2024) November 29, 2024 1 2:55 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Won the 2024 PFL Heavyweight Tournament.
Win 35–8 Timothy Johnson TKO (punches) PFL 7 (2024) August 2, 2024 1 2:26 Nashville, Tennessee, United States 2024 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 34–8 Thiago Santos TKO (punches) PFL 4 (2024) June 13, 2024 1 2:22 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 33–8 Linton Vassell TKO (punches) PFL 1 (2024) April 4, 2024 3 3:11 San Antonio, Texas, United States
Loss 32–8 Renan Ferreira TKO (punches) PFL 10 (2023) November 24, 2023 2 0:26 Washington, D.C., United States 2023 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Final.
Win 32–7 Jordan Heiderman Submission (arm-triangle choke) PFL 8 (2023) August 18, 2023 1 4:16 New York City, New York, United States 2023 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 31–7 Yorgan De Castro KO (punch) PFL 5 (2023) June 16, 2023 1 0:18 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win 30–7 Cezar Ferreira KO (punches) PFL 3 (2023) April 14, 2023 1 2:07 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 29–7 Maurice Greene Decision (unanimous) PFL 5 (2022) June 24, 2022 3 5:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win 28–7 Cody Goodale TKO (punches) PFL 2 (2022) April 28, 2022 1 3:20 Arlington, Texas, United States
Loss 27–7 Ante Delija Decision (unanimous) PFL 8 (2021) August 19, 2021 3 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States 2021 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 27–6 Brandon Sayles TKO (punches) PFL 6 (2021) June 25, 2021 3 1:24 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 26–6 Muhammed DeReese TKO (punches) PFL 3 (2021) May 6, 2021 1 4:21 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss 25–6 Ali Isaev TKO (punches) PFL 9 (2019) October 31, 2019 3 4:59 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 2019 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 25–5 Satoshi Ishii Decision (majority) 2 5:00 2019 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 24–5 Kelvin Tiller Submission (Ezekiel choke) PFL 6 (2019) August 8, 2019 2 3:40 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 23–5 Jared Rosholt TKO (punches) PFL 3 (2019) June 6, 2019 1 2:03 Uniondale, New York, United States
Win 22–5 Ednaldo Oliveira Submission (brabo choke) S-70: Plotforma Cup 2018 August 22, 2018 2 4:51 Sochi, Russia
Win 21–5 Atanas Djambazov Submission (Ezekiel choke) RCC 2 February 25, 2018 1 4:59 Yekaterinburg, Russia
Win 20–5 Chase Gormley KO (punch) ACB 77 December 23, 2017 2 2:16 Moscow, Russia
Loss 19–5 Mukhomad Vakhaev TKO (submission to punches) ACB 67 August 19, 2017 4 1:57 Grozny, Russia Lost the ACB Heavyweight Championship.
Win 19–4 Salimgerey Rasulov Decision (unanimous) ACB 50 December 18, 2016 5 5:00 Saint Petersburg, Russia Won the ACB Heavyweight Championship.
Win 18–4 Paul Buentello KO (head kick) ACB 41 July 15, 2016 1 3:07 Sochi, Russia
Win 17–4 Mike Kyle Technical Submission (triangle choke) ACB 32 March 26, 2016 1 2:18 Moscow, Russia
Win 16–4 John Hawk TKO (punches) Tech-Krep FC: Prime Selection 7 October 9, 2015 1 2:14 Krasnodar, Russia Defended the Tech-KREP FC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 15–4 James McSweeney TKO (head kick and punches) Tech-Krep FC: Prime Selection 4 July 24, 2015 2 0:46 Krasnodar, Russia Defended the Tech-Krep FC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 14–4 Peter Graham Submission (kimura) Tech-Krep FC: Ermak Prime Challenge April 3, 2015 2 3:23 Krasnodar, Russia Defended the Tech-Krep FC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 13–4 Zoumana Cisse Submission (armbar) Tech-Krep FC: Battle of Heroes December 12, 2014 1 4:04 Saint Petersburg, Russia Won the vacant Tech-Krep FC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 12–4 Brett Rogers Decision (unanimous) Tech-Krep FC: Prime 3 September 19, 2014 3 5:00 Krasnodar, Russia
Win 11–4 Roy Boughton Decision (unanimous) Tech-Krep FC: Prime Crimea May 23, 2014 3 5:00 Simferopol, Crimea
Win 10–4 Ivo Skopljak Submission (armbar) Tech-Krep FC: Prime 1 March 21, 2014 1 1:50 Krasnodar, Russia
Win 9–4 Szymon Bajor KO (punch) Union of Veterans: Cup of Champions 2013 December 21, 2013 2 4:07 Novosibirsk, Russia
Win 8–4 Dritan Barjamaj Submission (guillotine choke) S-70: Plotforma Cup 2013 August 17, 2013 1 1:00 Sochi, Russia
Win 7–4 Tadas Rimkevičius TKO (punches) Global Fight Club 1 December 14, 2012 1 1:25 Novorossiysk, Russia
Win 6–4 Yuri Gorbenko KO (head kick) Lion's Fights 2 September 2, 2012 2 0:58 Kolpino, Russia
Loss 5–4 Akhmed Sultanov Submission (heel hook) M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Rizzo June 21, 2012 1 1:28 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 5–3 Konstantin Erokhin KO (backfist) League S-70: Russian Grand Prix 2011 3rd Round April 6, 2012 3 1:40 Moscow, Russia
Win 4–3 Teymur Aslanov Submission (triangle choke) M-1 Challenge 29 November 19, 2011 1 1:55 Ufa, Russia
Loss 3–3 Alexander Volkov TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 25 April 28, 2011 2 3:05 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Loss 3–2 Dmitry Poberezhets Submission (rear-naked choke) ProFC 26: Union Nation Cup 14 April 9, 2011 2 1:54 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Win 3–1 Ilya Dzhadugishvili TKO (punches) ProFC 25: Union Nation Cup 13 February 13, 2011 1 1:26 Kharkiv, Ukraine
Loss 2–1 Ibragim Ibragimov Submission (heel hook) ProFC 23: Union Nation Cup 11 December 25, 2010 1 4:35 Babruysk, Belarus
Win 2–0 Marat Aliaskhabov Submission (straight armbar) M-1 Challenge 21 October 28, 2010 1 4:56 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 1–0 Igor Kukurudziak Decision (unanimous) M-1: Battle On The Neva 4 August 19, 2010 3 5:00 Saint Petersburg, Russia Heavyweight debut.

References

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