PFL Betting Preview: Denis Goltsov Wants to Reverse Woeful Playoff History

July 31, 2024

4 months

Denis Goltsov has been a pillar of the PFL’s heavyweight division for five years. Getting to the playoffs hasn’t been an issue for Goltsov, but what has happened once the Russian heavyweight earned a spot has been the stuff of nightmares.

Renan Ferreira knocked out Goltsov during the championship fight last season. In 2022, Goltsov qualified but was forced to withdraw due to an injury. Two other playoff appearances, in 2021 and 2019, resulted in losses in the semifinals.

Goltsov hopes the MMAfighting latest news will end up differently this time around. His opponent this Friday in Nashville, Tennessee, is Bellator and UFC veteran Timothy Johnson. Johnson debuted during the second week of this heavyweight season.

During Johnson’s debut, he was part of a memorable exchange with Danilo Marques. Johnson was hit with a hard groin kick at the same time as he landed a vicious punch. It was a double knockdown that briefly halted the action.

When Johnson got back up, he ended up planting Marques a few minutes later to steal a playoff spot. This may be the best field yet for Goltsov to come out on top. Johnson won’t shatter Goltsov’s dreams again.

Bets to consider: Goltsov by KO, Under 1.5 rounds

Ditcheva Hype Train Still on the Tracks

Dakota Ditcheva may be able to lay claim to being one of the PFL’s best home-grown stars. Last December, Ditcheva knocked out Valentina Scatizzi to improve to 10-0 on her career and claim the PFL Europe Women’s Flyweight Tournament crown. Since joining the world roster, not much has seemed to be different for Ditcheva.

Ditcheva has picked up a pair of first-round knockout victories to enter the women’s flyweight tournament as the top seed. While some MMA news sites accused the PFL of giving Ditcheva favorable matchmaking, her semifinal fight won’t do anything to clear that up. Jena Bishop is a solid veteran fighter.

During Bishop’s last fight, she pushed former UFC title challenger Taila Santos to the limit in a fight she ultimately lost by split decision. Bishop has built up her record to 7-1 in her career, but has yet to consistently fight high-level competition.

Ditcheva also doesn’t have a long list of experience, but has superior skills that make her look like a big-time future star.

Bets to consider: Ditcheva by decision, Over 1.5 rounds

Respect Veterans Battle for Spot in Final

Liz Carmouche has carved out a long career in mixed martial arts by fighting some of the top women’s fighters in history. Carmouche, 40, likely doesn’t have too many more high-end fights in her. But the Bellator flyweight champion and former UFC title challenger isn’t ready for retirement just yet.

Carmouche, who qualified for the playoffs with a dramatic, last-second armbar victory, is ready for another tough challenge from Taila Santos. Santos had to survive a scare from Bishop to earn a spot in the playoffs. With Santos being the younger fighter, and having fought two tough opponents in the UFC before joining the PFL, she should find a way to topple Carmouche.

Bets to consider: Santos by decision, Over 2.5 rounds

Linton Vassell Steps In

Linton Vassell fought in an absolute slopfest of a fight during the second round of the PFL regular season. Vassell and Valentin Moldvasky went back and forth for three rounds. Ultimately, the judges decided that Vassell won the fight via a split decision.

The win wasn’t enough to qualify Vassell for the playoffs. However, Moldvasky suffered an injury, and Vassell, who finished sixth in the standings, was tapped to fight Oleg Popov in the semifinals.

Popov impressed during the regular season. He won his first fight via KO against Steve Mowry before earning another decision win over Davion Franklin. Popov has finished 12 of his 18 career victories, including nine knockouts.

Vassell has also made a career of spectacular finishes. Back this fight to see one man end up scoring a knockout.

Bets to consider: Under 1.5 rounds, Popov by KO

Can There Be Good Fortune in Nashville

Tyrell Fortune entered this PFL season during the second week of competition. While the latest MMA updates shows that Fortune didn’t earn enough points to earn the opportunity to fight for the $1 million prize in the postseason, he was able to score a solid decision over Marcelo Golm. For Fortune’s next fight, he will have to tame an old rival.

Fortune and Sergey Bilostenniy previously fought in Bellator. Bilostenniy had a five-fight winning streak snapped when he lost to Fortune via disqualification. Bilostenniy had dropped Fortune to the mat with a legal elbow.

However, when Bilostenniy looked to finish the fight with ground and pound, he threw several strikes that hit on the back of Fortune’s head. Elbows are illegal in the PFL, so Fortune won’t have to worry about that. Bilostenniy’s power should still be concerning.

Bets to consider: Under 1.5 rounds, Bilostenniy by DQ/KO/TKO

Laying Down the Law

Cody Law is a big favorite during his PFL debut. Law is a decorated amateur wrestler who has found a fair amount of success in Bellator. Save for a two-fight losing streak, Law has been able to leverage his strong grappling game to win eight professional fights.

Law has won four fights by knockout and one by submission. Law has yet to be finished during his MMA career. Law will be matched up with Zachary Hicks this weekend.

Hicks is a veteran fighter who has struggled to get out of the regional scene. During his PFL Contender Series fight, Hicks was submitted by Nathan Kelly. Hicks won’t be able to match up with Law.

Bets to consider: Law to win inside the distance, Under 2.5 rounds

Here’s some quick picks on the other fights on the card: