Denis Goltsov
Denis Goltsov, originally from St. Petersburg, grew up in a sports-oriented family, though he initially lacked interest in team sports.[1][2] 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 journey took him through various organizations until he found success in Tech-Krep FC, where he scored four consecutive victories.[1] Denis's pinnacle moment came on December 18, 2016, when he secured the ACA Heavyweight Championship by defeating Salimgerey Rasulov.Eventually, he received an invitation to join the Professional Fighters League (PFL), signaling a new chapter in his MMA journey.[11][12] Goltsov faced Satoshi Ishii in the 2019 heavyweight quarterfinal bout at PFL 9 on October 31, 2019.However, after picking up an injury, Cappelozza was unable to continue in the tournament and replaced by Matheus Scheffel.[26] Ante Delija was scheduled to face Yorgan De Castro on April 7, 2023, at PFL 2.[36] Goltsov faced Linton Vassell at PFL 1 on April 4, 2024 and won the fight by technical knockout.
LeningradRussian SFSRSoviet UnionHeavyweightCombat SamboSaint Petersburg, RussiaMaster of SportBoxingHonored Master of Sports of Russia SamboMixed martial artsSherdogRussiaAmateur boxingWorld Sambo Championships (FIAS)2021 TashkentEuropean Sambo Championship (ESF)Russianmixed martial artistamateur boxerProfessional Fighters League (PFL)Saint Petersburg State UniversityWorld Sambo ChampionshipsJared RosholtKelvin TillerAtlantic City, New JerseySatoshi IshiiAli IsaevJustin WillisAnte DelijaMaurice GreeneBruno CappelozzaJuan AdamsYorgan De CastroDanilo MarquesCezar FerreiraRenan FerreiraPFL 10Linton VassellThiago SantosTimothy JohnsonOleg Popov2024 PFL Heavyweight ChampionshipFédération Internationale de SamboRussian Boxing FederationPFL 10 (2024)RiyadhPFL 7 (2024)Nashville, TennesseePFL 4 (2024)Uncasville, ConnecticutPFL 1 (2024)San Antonio, TexasPFL 10 (2023)Washington, D.C.PFL 8 (2023)New York City, New YorkPFL 5 (2023)Atlanta, GeorgiaPFL 3 (2023)Las Vegas, NevadaPFL 5 (2022)PFL 2 (2022)Arlington, TexasPFL 8 (2021)Hollywood, FloridaPFL 6 (2021)PFL 3 (2021)PFL 9 (2019)PFL 6 (2019)PFL 3 (2019)Uniondale, New YorkYekaterinburgChase GormleyMoscowGroznySaint PetersburgPaul BuentelloMike KyleKrasnodarJames McSweeneyPeter GrahamBrett RogersSimferopolNovosibirskNovorossiyskKolpinoAlexander VolkovRostov-on-DonKharkivBabruyskProfessional Fighters League