Tag: tim johnson

2024 PFL 7 Playoffs Results & Highlights: Denis Goltsov TKOs Tim Johnson

PFL kicked off its 2024 playoffs on August 2 with matchups from the heavyweight and women’s flyweight divisions. MMA News has the results here! The promotion held the event at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. In the main event, Denis Goltsov moved to the final of the playoffs in a heavyweight matchup against […]

Continue Reading 2024 PFL 7 Playoffs Results & Highlights: Denis Goltsov TKOs Tim Johnson at MMA News.

PFL kicked off its 2024 playoffs on August 2 with matchups from the heavyweight and women’s flyweight divisions. MMA News has the results here!

The promotion held the event at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. In the main event, Denis Goltsov moved to the final of the playoffs in a heavyweight matchup against Tim Johnson.

The Russian took his opponent down within two minutes of the fight and got into full mount. Goltsov landed 22 ground strikes from the top position to get the TKO win.

Elsewhere on the card, Dakota Ditcheva faced Jena Bishop in a women’s flyweight bout in the co-main event. The fight lasted one round, with Ditcheva getting a TKO victory after landing a knee and a few punches to get the referee to step in.

PFL 7: Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson Fight Card Results

Main card (ESPN+ & ESPN):

  • Heavyweight: Denis Goltsov def. Tim Johnson via TKO: R1, 2:26
  • Women’s Flyweight: Dakota Ditcheva def. Jena Bishop via TKO: R1, 3:54
  • Heavyweight: Oleg Popov def. Linton Vassell via Unanimous Decision (30-27×3)
  • Women’s Flyweight: Taila Santos def. Liz Carmouche via Unanimous Decision (29-27×3)

Preliminary card (ESPN+):

  • Heavyweight: Sergey Bilostenniy def. Tyrell Fortune via Submission (Heel Hook): R1, 2:00
  • Featherweight: Alexei Pergande def. Daniel Boehle via Unanimous Decision (30-27×3)
  • Featherweight: Cody Law def. Zachary Hicks via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke): R1, 3:15
  • Catchweight(163lbs): Dedrek Sanders def. Sergio Cossio via KO: R1, 2:34
  • Catchweight(173lbs): Anthony Ivy def. Jaleel Willis via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke): R2, 4:49
  • Welterweight: Kevin Pease def. Nick Meck via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)

Main Card Highlights

Denis Goltsov def. Tim Johnson

Dakota Ditcheva def. Jena Bishop

Preliminary Card Highlights

Sergey Bilostenniy def. Tyrell Fortune

Cody Law def. Zachary Hicks

Dedrek Sanders def. Sergio Cossio

Anthony Ivy def. Jaleel Willis

Continue Reading 2024 PFL 7 Playoffs Results & Highlights: Denis Goltsov TKOs Tim Johnson at MMA News.

2024 PFL 7 Playoffs: Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson Results & Highlights (5:30 PM ET)

PFL kicks off its 2024 playoffs with matchups from the heavyweight and women’s flyweight divisions on Friday. MMA News has the results here! The promotion will host tonight’s event at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. In the main event, Denis Goltsov hopes to move to the final of the playoffs in a heavyweight […]

Continue Reading 2024 PFL 7 Playoffs: Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson Results & Highlights (5:30 PM ET) at MMA News.

PFL kicks off its 2024 playoffs with matchups from the heavyweight and women’s flyweight divisions on Friday. MMA News has the results here!

The promotion will host tonight’s event at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. In the main event, Denis Goltsov hopes to move to the final of the playoffs in a heavyweight matchup against Tim Johnson.

The Russian comes into the fight on a two-fight win streak and qualified atop the division standings with 10 points. In his last appearance, he swiftly defeated former UFC light heavyweight title contender Thiago Santos by TKO in the first round at PFL 4 on June 13. That said, Johnson isn’t an easy opponent to get past.

The former Bellator heavyweight contender is also coming into the fight on a winning streak with three straight victories. Johnson earned his spot in the playoffs by defeating Danilo Marques by TKO in the first round at PFL 4. Although Goltsov is favored to win, he’ll have to be mindful of the punching power of Johnson.

Elsewhere on the card, Dakota Ditcheva will take on Jena Bishop in a women’s flyweight bout in the co-main event. Bishop aims to rebound from her last defeat to Taila Santos and give her opponent the first loss of her career. However, she faces an uphill battle as Ditcheva has a significant height and reach advantage. DraftKings currently has the 12-0 women’s flyweight as the favorite to move on to the championship final.

The main card will start at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT, while the preliminary card will kick the event off at 5:30 PM ET/2:30 PM PT.

PFL 7: Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson Fight Card Results

(Fight Card Is Subject To Change)

Main card (ESPN+ & ESPN):

  • Heavyweight: Denis Goltsov (34-8) vs. Tim Johnson (18-9)
  • Women’s Flyweight: Dakota Ditcheva (12-0) vs. Jena Bishop (7-1)
  • Heavyweight: Oleg Popov (18-1) vs. Linton Vassell (25-9)
  • Women’s Flyweight: Taila Santos (21-3) vs. Liz Carmouche (22-7)

Preliminary card (ESPN+):

  • Heavyweight: Tyrell Fortune (14-2) vs. Sergey Bilostenniy (12-3)
  • Featherweight: Alexei Pergande (4-0) vs. Daniel Boehle (4-2)
  • Featherweight: Cody Law (8-2) vs. Zachary Hicks (9-5)
  • Catchweight(163lbs): Sergio Cossio (27-9-1) vs. Dedrek Sanders (8-4)
  • Catchweight(173lbs): Jaleel Willis (16-6) vs. Anthony Ivy (14-7)
  • Welterweight: Kevin Pease (5-0) vs. Nick Meck (7-1)

Continue Reading 2024 PFL 7 Playoffs: Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson Results & Highlights (5:30 PM ET) at MMA News.

2024 PFL 7 Playoffs: Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson Weigh-In Results: Liz Carmouche Misses Weight

PFL returns this Friday to kick off the 2024 playoffs with matchups from the heavyweight and women’s flyweight divisions. Before they can compete, they must weigh in today, and MMA News has the results here! The main event is a heavyweight semifinal between Denis Goltsov and Tim Johnson. After suffering a defeat to 2023 PFL […]

Continue Reading 2024 PFL 7 Playoffs: Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson Weigh-In Results: Liz Carmouche Misses Weight at MMA News.

PFL returns this Friday to kick off the 2024 playoffs with matchups from the heavyweight and women’s flyweight divisions. Before they can compete, they must weigh in today, and MMA News has the results here!

The main event is a heavyweight semifinal between Denis Goltsov and Tim Johnson. After suffering a defeat to 2023 PFL Heavyweight Champion Renan Ferreira last year, Goltsov has been motivated to earn another opportunity at the title. He earned his spot in the playoffs by defeating Linton Vassell and Thiago Santos by TKO during the 2024 regular season.

Everyone from the main card made weight successfully except for Liz Carmouche. She was over two pounds for her women’s flyweight bout against Taila Santos. However, the matchup is expected to still occur and Carmouche will lose a percentage of her purse.

DraftKings currently has the former Bellator heavyweight title contender as a +310 underdog. That said, Johnson has shown in his last three fights that he is still a threat at age 39. Both fighters are known to want to finish their opponents, so fans should be prepared for a potential early knockout.

Elsewhere on the card, Dakota Ditcheva will take on Jena Bishop in a women’s flyweight playoff bout. Ditcheva comes into the matchup undefeated with 12 wins and entered the season as one of the favorites to win the PFL women’s flyweight championship. Bishop will try to shock the MMA community by ending her win streak this Friday and advance to the final. However, it will be a difficult task as Ditcheva will have a significant height and reach advantage.

PFL 7 will occur at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The main card will start at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT, while the preliminary card will kick the event off at 5:30 PM ET/2:30 PM PT.

PFL 7: Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson Weigh-In Results

(Fight Card Is Subject To Change)

Main card (ESPN+ & ESPN):

  • Heavyweight: Denis Goltsov (247.6 lbs) vs. Tim Johnson (265.8 lbs)
  • Women’s Flyweight: Dakota Ditcheva (125.2 lbs) vs. Jena Bishop (125.2 lbs)
  • Heavyweight: Oleg Popov (247.2 lbs) vs. Linton Vassell (248 lbs)
  • Women’s Flyweight: Taila Santos (125.2 lbs) vs. Liz Carmouche (127 lbs)*

Preliminary card (ESPN+):

  • Heavyweight: Tyrell Fortune (255.6 lbs) vs. Sergey Bilostenniy (249.6 lbs)
  • Featherweight: Alexei Pergande (146 lbs) vs. Daniel Boehle (145.2 lbs)
  • Featherweight: Cody Law (145.4 lbs) vs. Zachary Hicks (145.6 lbs)
  • Lightweight: Sergio Cossio vs. Dedrek Sanders
  • Welterweight: Jaleel Willis vs. Anthony Ivy
  • Welterweight: Kevin Pease (169.2 lbs) vs. Nick Meck (170.2 lbs)

*Liz Carmouche missed the women’s flyweight limit by two pounds

Continue Reading 2024 PFL 7 Playoffs: Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson Weigh-In Results: Liz Carmouche Misses Weight at MMA News.

PFL Headliner Tim Johnson: Francis Ngannou ‘Harnessing’ Grief Of Losing Son In Training [Exclusive]

It appears that Francis Ngannou is gearing up for his long awaited return to MMA, after what has been a difficult year for the former UFC heavyweight champion. The PFL fighter recently announced that he will be hoping to step back inside the cage later this year in what is sure to be an emotional […]

Continue Reading PFL Headliner Tim Johnson: Francis Ngannou ‘Harnessing’ Grief Of Losing Son In Training [Exclusive] at MMA News.

It appears that Francis Ngannou is gearing up for his long awaited return to MMA, after what has been a difficult year for the former UFC heavyweight champion.

The PFL fighter recently announced that he will be hoping to step back inside the cage later this year in what is sure to be an emotional moment for both he and his fans.

Messages and support poured in from all angles of the combat sports world in April after Ngannou announced the tragic passing of his 15-month-old son Kobe.

A teammate of his said that “The Predator” appears to be building up some steam in training, and he’s doing it with fire in his eyes after what he has been through.

Tim Johnson Says Francis Ngannou Is Slowly Returning To The Gym With Motivation

Former UFC and Bellator veteran Tim Johnson is set to make his return in the main event of PFL 7 this weekend where he takes on Denis Goltsov.

During his training camp at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, he crossed paths with his teammate and fellow PFL fighter as he works his way back.

Johnson gave an update on Ngannou during a recent interview with MMA News, stating that one of the baddest men on the planet is slowly coming back to speed.

“He’s been in the gym, getting his wheels greased again. Kind of going slow but he’s in no rush like he doesn’t, it’s not like he’s fighting in eight weeks or anything but yeah he’s been back in the gym, feeling big, strong, like he always has.”

Johnson also said that Ngannou appears to be doing okay mentally from what he has been able to take away from their conversations.

He said that if anything, the heavyweight knockout artist is now in a position where he is using this difficult time in his life as fuel.

“He seems to be, yeah. I talked to him a little bit and as a father to father, I told him, me and my wife gave him our sympathies. I couldn’t imagine it, that’d be the worst scenario in any parents life and he seems to be harnessing it and utilizing it.”

Read also: 2024 PFL 7 Playoffs: Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson Weigh-In Results

Continue Reading PFL Headliner Tim Johnson: Francis Ngannou ‘Harnessing’ Grief Of Losing Son In Training [Exclusive] at MMA News.

PFL Announces 2024 Playoff Main Cards, Former Bellator Champ Replaced In Semifinal

Following the conclusion of the promotion’s latest global regular season, the lineups are set for this year’s PFL Playoffs. 2024 was always going to be a big one for the PFL, as it marks the first season since it acquired a rival promotion in Bellator. After kicking off the year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a […]

Continue Reading PFL Announces 2024 Playoff Main Cards, Former Bellator Champ Replaced In Semifinal at MMA News.

Following the conclusion of the promotion’s latest global regular season, the lineups are set for this year’s PFL Playoffs.

2024 was always going to be a big one for the PFL, as it marks the first season since it acquired a rival promotion in Bellator. After kicking off the year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a cross-brand event and commencing its sophomore PFL Europe campaign in Paris, eyes turned to the global season.

And having hosted six events across April and June, the brackets for the 2024 PFL Playoffs were decided, and the main cards are now set.

A recent press release announced which semifinals will feature in main event slots, as well as the order below them.

PFL Playoffs 1: Goltsov vs. Johnson (August 2)

This year’s PFL playoffs will kick off with heavyweight and women’s flyweight action at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 2.

In the main event, PFL veteran Denis Goltsov makes his bid for a second championship final in what will be his fourth semifinal appearance. The Russian has worked his way back to the postseason courtesy of knockout wins over Linton Vassell and Thiago Santos. He’ll next face Tim Johnson, whose six-point finish of Danilo Marques saw him secure a playoff place in his SmartCage debut.

The other heavyweight semifinal has undergone a change. In the second fight of the night, Linton Vassell will battle Oleg Popov for a place in the final. The former didn’t qualify in the top four spots but has been handed a chance at redemption following an injury to former interim Bellator champion Valentin Moldavsky.

Co-headlining for the women’s flyweights will be Dakota Ditcheva, who breezed to top-seed status in the regular season by extending her perfect professional record with crushing TKOs against Lisa Mauldin and Chelsea Hackett. She’s next set for her toughest test to date opposite Jena Bishop.

Opening the main card, meanwhile, will be an intriguing semifinal matchup between two flyweight elites in ex-UFC title challenger Taila Santos and Bellator champ Liz Carmouche, both of whom recorded consecutive wins to secure their playoff spots.

Main Card (9 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN+):

  • Heavyweight Playoffs Main Event: Denis Goltsov (34-8) vs. Tim Johnson (18-9) 
  • Women’s Flyweight Playoffs Co-Main Event: Dakota Ditcheva (12-0) vs. Jena Bishop (7-1)
  • Heavyweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Oleg Popov (18-1) vs. Linton Vassell (25-9) 
  • Women’s Flyweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Liz Carmouche (22-7) vs. Taila Santos (21-3) 

PFL Playoffs 2: Kasanganay vs. Silveira (August 16)

The second stop in the PFL’s postseason sees the SmartCage head to Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, for light heavyweight and lightweight fights on August 16.

In the main event, Impa Kasanganay continues his pursuit of a second straight PFL championship against the man at the expense of whom he captured the 205-pound crown in 2023, Josh Silveira. The other light heavyweight contest comes in the co-headliner, with 2022 title winner Rob Wilkinson battling Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov.

Opening the main card on August 16 will be the always entertaining Clay Collard, whose quest for a first PFL title must next go through former Bellator standout Brent Primus. Elsewhere in that division, Gadzhi Rabadanov and Michael Dufort will share the cage.

Main Card (9 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN+):

  • Light Heavyweight Playoffs Main Event: Impa Kasanganay (17-4) vs. Josh Silveira (13-3)
  • Light Heavyweight Playoffs Co-Main Event: Rob Wilkinson (19-2) vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (23-7-1)
  • Lightweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Gadzhi Rabadanov (22-4-1) vs. Michael Dufort (13-5) 
  • Lightweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Brent Primus (14-3) vs. Clay Collard (25-13) 

PFL Playoffs 3: Loughnane vs. Kamaka III (August 23)

The featherweights and welterweights will round out the semifinal action at The Anthem in Washington D.C. on August 23.

In the main event, 2022 featherweight kingpin Brendan Loughnane looks to continue his momentum from a strong regular season en route to another dose of PFL success. To do so, he must stall the charge of Kai Kamaka III, who is looking to capture the $1 million check in his first taste of season action. The other featherweight semifinal sees 2023 finalist Gabriel Braga tasked with blemishing the perfect record of Timur Khizriev.

Co-headlining the August 23 card will be Magomed Umalatov, whose submission of Brennan Ward last time out has left him as a potential favorite in the eyes of many. He’ll look to further prove those predictions right by eliminating South Africa’s Don Madge from the equation. Opening the main card at 170 pounds, meanwhile, is a rematch between the undefeated Shamil Musaev and Murad Ramazanov. While the latter was knocked out by his fellow countryman in June, his first regular season bout was enough to keep him inside the divisional top four.

Main Card (9 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN+):

  • Featherweight Playoffs Main Event: Brendan Loughnane (29-5) vs. Kai Kamaka (14-5-1) 
  • Welterweight Playoffs Co-Main Event: Magomed Umalatov (16-0) vs. Don Madge (11-5-1) 
  • Featherweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Gabriel Braga (14-1) vs. Timur Khizriev (16-0) 
  • Welterweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Shamil Musaev (18-0-1) vs. Murad Ramazanov (12-1)

Continue Reading PFL Announces 2024 Playoff Main Cards, Former Bellator Champ Replaced In Semifinal at MMA News.

VIDEO | Khabib Nurmagomedov Reacts To Fedors KO Victory

Khabib NurmagomedovKhabib Nurmagomedov was ecstatic to watch one of his favorite fighters ever Fedor Emelianenko KO his opponent Tim Johnson at Bellator 269. ‘The Last Emperor’ made his return to the octagon and provided absolute fireworks for the Russian crowd. The card was held in Emelianenko’s home country of Russia. In the stands going crazy for Emelianenko’s return […]

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov was ecstatic to watch one of his favorite fighters ever Fedor Emelianenko KO his opponent Tim Johnson at Bellator 269.

‘The Last Emperor’ made his return to the octagon and provided absolute fireworks for the Russian crowd. The card was held in Emelianenko’s home country of Russia. In the stands going crazy for Emelianenko’s return to the octagon was ‘The Eagle’ Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Khabib has always been a big fan of ‘The Last Emperor’ since he saw him fight in the early 2000’s. In a Facebook post from 5 years ago, Khabib said “First time I saw Fedor fight live was in 2004, at Combat Sambo Dagestan Championship. He wasn’t that famous at that moment, but I knew him, and was watching him fight that whole day. That day he won, took first place and after since he was first for me, no matter lose or win”.

Khabib had also named Emelianenko as one of his six GOAT’s of the sport itself. A list that included Emelianenko, Anderson Silva, Jon Jones, GSP, Daniel Cormier, and Demetrious Johnson. The two seem to have a good relationship as well and Khabib has even given Emelianenko some advice in the past.

Emelianenko’s win over Johnson was the legends 40th professional win inside the octagon and his fourth win under the Bellator banner. The most logical matchup for Emelianenko, (since he has already proclaimed this was not his last fight) would be to fight Ryan Bader next. He previously lost to Bader in the Heavyweight World Grand Prix Finals back in 2019 by TKO. That would be a really fun matchup to run back if both fighters would want to.

Did you enjoy seeing Fedor Emelianenko back inside the octagon? Would you be interested in a rematch between Fedor Emelianenko and Ryan Bader?