Denis Alexandrovich Goltsov (; born 10 June 1990) is a Russian sambo competitor,

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

, and former

amateur boxer An amateur () is generally considered a person who pursues an avocation independent from their source of income. Amateurs and their pursuits are also described as popular, informal, self-taught, user-generated, DIY, and hobbyist. History ...

. 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.

Sambo career

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. Goltsov studied geology at

Saint Petersburg State University Saint Petersburg State University (SPBGU; ) is a public research university in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Russia. Founded in 1724 by a decree of Peter the Great, the university from the be ...

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 and achieved World Championship gold in 2016 and 2017, along with a silver medal in 2021. At the World Sambo Championships, Goltsov won the gold medal in 2016 and 2017 and the silver medal in 2021.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

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. 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.

Professional Fighters League

2019 season

Goltsov made his PFL debut against

Jared Rosholt Jared Rosholt is an American former mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight division. A professional competitor from 2011 to 2019, Rosholt competed for the UFC, Titan FC, Professional Fighters League, and Legacy FC. He is the y ...

on June 6, 2019, at PFL 3. He won the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round. Goltsov faced Kelvin Tiller at PFL 6 on August 8, 2019, in

Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City, sometimes referred to by its initials A.C., is a Jersey Shore seaside resort city (New Jersey), city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Atlantic City comprises the second half of ...

. He won the bout via ezekiel choke in the second round. Goltsov faced

Satoshi Ishii is a Japanese-Croatian retired Mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist, kickboxer, professional boxer and judoka who has held Croatian citizenship since 2019. Ishii won the gold medal in Judo at the Summer Olympics, Olympic Judo at the Beijing ...

in the 2019 heavyweight quarterfinal bout at PFL 9 on October 31, 2019. He won the fight by majority decision. Heading into the semifinals, Goltsov faced

Ali Isaev Ali Isaevich Isaev (; born 18 December 1983) is a Russian-Azerbaijani professional mixed martial artist and former amateur wrestler who competed in the Heavyweight (MMA), Heavyweight division. He has also formerly competed for Bellator MMA, Figh ...

later in the night. He lost the bout in the third round by technical knockout.

2021 season

Goltsov faced Muhammed DeReese at PFL 3 on May 6, 2021. 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. Goltsov won the bout via first-round technical knockout. Goltsov faced Brandon Sayles on June 25, 2021, at PFL 6. He won the bout by first-round technical knockout. Goltsov faced Ante Delija on August 19, 2021, at PFL 8. He lost the belt by unanimous decision.

2022 season

Goltsov was scheduled to face Sam Kei on April 28, 2022, at PFL 2. However, Kei would later pull out of the bout and was replaced by Cody Goodale. Goltsov won the bout via first-round TKO. Goltsov faced Maurice Greene on June 24, 2022, at PFL 5. He won the bout via unanimous decision, having out-wrestled Greene throughout the bout. 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. After visa issues forced Goltsov to pull out of his bout due to visa issues, he was replaced by Juan Adams.

2023 season

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. In turn, Goltsov withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Danilo Marques. Goltsov faced

Cezar Ferreira Cezar Jesus Ferreira (born February 15, 1985), better known in his home country Brazil as Cezar Mutante, is a mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist currently competing in the Light heavyweight (MMA), light heavyweight division. A professional ...

on April 14, 2023, at PFL 3. He won the bout in the first round by knockout via ground and pound. Goltsov faced Yorgan De Castro on June 16, 2023, at PFL 5. He won the bout by knockout just 18 seconds into the first round. In the semi-finals, Goltsov faced Jordan Heiderman on August 18, 2023, at PFL 8. He won the fight by arm-triangle choke in the first round. In the final, Goltsov faced Renan Ferreira on November 24, 2023, at PFL 10. He lost the bout by second-round TKO.

2024 season

Goltsov faced Linton Vassell at PFL 1 on April 4, 2024 and won the fight by technical knockout. 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. Goltsov won the bout via TKO in the first round. 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. Goltsov next faced

Oleg Popov Oleg Konstantinovich Popov (, 31 July 1930 – 2 November 2016) was a Soviet and Russian clown and circus artist. He was awarded People's Artist of the USSR in 1969. Early life Popov was born on 31 July 1930, the son of a clock-repairman. At a ...

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.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

* Professional Fighters League ** 2024 PFL Heavyweight Championship * Absolute Championship Akhmat ** ACA Heavyweight Championship (One time) * Tech-KREP FC ** Tech-KREP FC Heavyweight Championship (One time) *** Three Successful title defenses

Sambo

* Fédération Internationale de Sambo (FIAS) ** Sambo World Champion (2 times) ** Sambo European Champion (2 times) ** Russian National Champion (3 times)

Amateur boxing

* Russian Boxing Federation * 2008 Anapa Russian Junior National Championships (+91 kg)

Mixed martial arts record

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, Decision (majority) , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 , , - , Win , align=center, 24–5 , Kelvin Tiller , Submission (Ezekiel choke) , PFL 6 (2019) , , align="center", 2 , align="center", 3:40 ,

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, TKO (punches) , PFL 3 (2019) , , align="center", 1 , align="center", 2:03 ,

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, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 22–5 , Ednaldo Oliveira , Submission (brabo choke) , S-70: Plotforma Cup 2018 , , align="center", 2 , align="center", 4:51 ,

Sochi Sochi ( rus, Сочи, p=ˈsotɕɪ, a=Ru-Сочи.ogg, from – ''seaside'') is the largest Resort town, resort city in Russia. The city is situated on the Sochi (river), Sochi River, along the Black Sea in the North Caucasus of Souther ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 21–5 , Atanas Djambazov , Submission (Ezekiel choke) , RCC 2 , , align="center", 1 , align="center", 4:59 ,

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Chase Gormley Chase Gormley (born August 11, 1983) is an American professional Mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxing, bare-knuckle boxer, currently competing in the Heavyweight (MMA), Heavyweight division of the Bare Knuckle Fightin ...

, KO (punch) , ACB 77 , , align="center", 2 , align="center", 2:16 ,

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, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 19–4 , Salimgerey Rasulov , Decision (unanimous) , ACB 50 , , align="center", 5 , align="center", 5:00 ,

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, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 18–4 , Paul Buentello , KO (head kick) , ACB 41 , , align="center", 1 , align="center", 3:07 ,

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 17–4 , Mike Kyle , Technical Submission (triangle choke) , ACB 32 , , align="center", 1 , align="center", 2:18 ,

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 16–4 , John Hawk , TKO (punches) , Tech-Krep FC: Prime Selection 7 , , align="center", 1 , align="center", 2:14 ,

Krasnodar Krasnodar, formerly Yekaterinodar (until 1920), is the largest city and the administrative centre of Krasnodar Krai, Russia. The city stands on the Kuban River in southern Russia, with a population of 1,154,885 residents, and up to 1.263 millio ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 15–4 , James McSweeney , TKO (head kick and punches) , Tech-Krep FC: Prime Selection 4 , , align="center", 2 , align="center", 0:46 ,

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 14–4 , Peter Graham , Submission (kimura) , Tech-Krep FC: Ermak Prime Challenge , , align="center", 2 , align="center", 3:23 ,

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 13–4 , Zoumana Cisse , Submission (armbar) , Tech-Krep FC: Battle of Heroes , , align="center", 1 , align="center", 4:04 ,

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 12–4 ,

Brett Rogers Brett Charles Rogers (born February 17, 1981) is an American former mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2005, Rogers has fought in EliteXC, Strikeforce, and Bellator. Bac ...

, Decision (unanimous) , Tech-Krep FC: Prime 3 , , align="center", 3 , align="center", 5:00 ,

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, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 9–4 , Szymon Bajor , KO (punch) , Union of Veterans: Cup of Champions 2013 , , align="center", 2 , align="center", 4:07 ,

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, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 6–4 , Yuri Gorbenko , KO (head kick) , Lion's Fights 2 , , align="center", 2 , align="center", 0:58 ,

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, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 5–3 , Konstantin Erokhin , KO (backfist) , League S-70: Russian Grand Prix 2011 3rd Round , , align="center", 3 , align="center", 1:40 ,

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 4–3 , Teymur Aslanov , Submission (triangle choke) , M-1 Challenge 29 , , align="center", 1 , align="center", 1:55 , Ufa, Russia , , - , Loss , align=center, 3–3 , Alexander Volkov , TKO (punches) , M-1 Challenge 25 , , align="center", 2 , align="center", 3:05 ,

, Russia , , - , Loss , align=center, 3–2 , Dmitry Poberezhets , Submission (rear-naked choke) , ProFC 26: Union Nation Cup 14 , , align="center", 2 , align="center", 1:54 ,

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, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 3–1 , Ilya Dzhadugishvili , TKO (punches) , ProFC 25: Union Nation Cup 13 , , align="center", 1 , align="center", 1:26 ,

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, Ukraine , , - , Loss , align=center, 2–1 , Ibragim Ibragimov , Submission (heel hook) , ProFC 23: Union Nation Cup 11 , , align="center", 1 , align="center", 4:35 ,

Babruysk Babruysk (, ) or Bobruysk (, ; , ) is a city in Mogilev Region, Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Babruysk District, though it is administratively separated from the district. It is situated on the Berezina, Berezina River. Bab ...

, Belarus , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , Marat Aliaskhabov , Submission (straight armbar) , M-1 Challenge 21 , , align="center", 1 , align="center", 4:56 ,

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Igor Kukurudziak , Decision (unanimous) , M-1: Battle On The Neva 4 , , align="center", 3 , align="center", 5:00 ,

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References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Goltsov, Denis 1990 births Living people Martial artists from Saint Petersburg Russian male mixed martial artists Heavyweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing sambo Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing Russian sambo practitioners Russian male boxers 21st-century Russian sportsmen