The first two finals of the 2024 PFL World Championships are locked in.
Dakota Ditcheva will take on Taila Santos in the Women’s Flyweight final and Denis Goltsov faces Oleg Popov for the Heavyweight crown.
Ditcheva, once again, was the stand out performer of the night. The young Brit faced Jena Bishop in the semi-final and racked up yet another first round stoppage.
Her devastating Thai clinch has been on display throughout the tournament and was a huge issue for Bishop who ate a massive knee to the head which sent her crashing to the ground. Ditcheva stepped back and urged Bishop to stand up once more then the second she was on her feet, the unbeaten 26-year-old was straight back on with the pressure and backed Bishop up against the fence before dropping her once more and the referee stepping in.
Santos’ semi-final bout with Liz Carmouche was an entertains bout with both women battling it out over three rounds. Ultimately, all three judges score the bout in favour of Santos, who now has her place in the final in her maiden season with the PFL.
Much like Ditcheva, Denis Goltsov has made a habit of finishes this season and this continued as he stopped Tim Johnson in the first round of the main event of the evening.
After overpowering Johnson and getting the bout to the floor, Goltsov mounted the American and reigned down heavy ground and pound to secure the finish.
In the other Heavyweight semi-final, Oleg Popov used his elite wresting to wear down and out work Linton Vassell over three rounds. His heavy wrestling style has proved to be an issue for his opponents time and time again, and this was once more the case for the Brit, Vassell.
Following the fight night, PFL CEO Peter Murray said:
“The beginning of the Professional Fighters League Global Season Playoffs means it is time for the best to win and advance.
"Tonight in Nashville we saw four athletes punch their tickets to the PFL World Championship, where they will continue on their million dollar journeys.
“The PFL once again delivered fans around the world with the best action in MMA,” said PFL President of Fighter Operations, Ray Sefo. “Four extraordinary athletes are on their way to the highly anticipated 2024 PFL World Championships.”
Find the full results below:
|COMPLETE RESULTS
Main Card Results:
Heavyweight Semifinal: #1 Denis Goltsov def. #4 Tim Johnson by 1st round TKO (2:26)
Women’s Flyweight Semifinal: #1 Dakota Ditcheva def. #4 Jena Bishop by 1st round TKO (3:54)
Heavyweight Semifinal: #2 Oleg Popov def. #6 Linton Vassell by submission (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Women’s Flyweight Semifinal: #2 Taila Santos def. #3 Liz Carmouche by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Early Card Results:
Heavyweight: Sergei Bilostenniy def. Tyrell Fortune by 1st round verbal submission (2:00, heel hook)
Featherweight: Alexei Pergande def. Daniel Boehle by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Featherweight: Cody Law def. Zack Hicks by 1st round submission (3:15, rear-naked choke)
Lightweight: Dedrek Sanders def. Sergios Cossio by 1st round KO (2:34)
Welterweight: Anthony Ivy def. Jaleel Willis by 2nd round submission (4:49, rear naked choke)
Welterweight Showcase: Kevin Pease def. Nick Meck by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
