Denis Goltsov

Denis Alexandrovich Goltsov (Денис Александрович Гольцов; born 10 June 1990) is a Russian sambo competitor and mixed martial artist. 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.

Sambo career
Originally from St. Petersburg, Denis Goltsov was raised in an athletic family alongside his older brother, Sergei. The family's sports background, particularly in basketball, initially shaped Denis's early years. However, team sports failed to capture his interest, leading him to spend his free time at home. A pivotal moment came when a call from Sergei's boxing trainer prompted Denis to explore boxing himself. Despite his impressive size for a 15-year-old, Denis faced challenges sparring with seniors due to his height. Nevertheless, he continued learning the fundamentals of boxing. After three and a half years of training, he earned a Master of Sport in boxing and finished 2nd at the national youth championship.

Goltsov attended St. Petersburg State University, where he studied geology. His growing disillusionment with the politics of boxing led him to shift his focus to combat sambo. Leveraging his contacts, he joined a new gym that catered to various martial arts disciplines, marking the beginning of his journey into mixed martial arts (MMA). His transition to MMA proved successful, and within three and a half years of joining the sambo gym, Goltsov became the European champion. Notably, he continued to make waves in the MMA scene, securing victories on both national and international platforms. By 2021, MMA had become not only his passion but also his primary source of income.

During his sambo career, Goltsov won 10 medals in the Russian championship, including three gold. He won gold medals at the European Sambo Championships in 2012 and 2017. At the World Sambo Championships, Goltsov won the gold medal in 2016 and 2017 and the silver medal in 2021.

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.

2019 season
Goltsov made his PFL debut against Jared Rosholt 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. He won the bout via ezekiel choke in the second round.

Goltsov faced Satoshi Ishii 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 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 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.

Mixed martial arts

 * 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)

Mixed martial arts record

 * Win
 * align=center|34–8
 * Thiago Santos
 * TKO (punches)
 * PFL 4 (2024)
 * June 13 2024
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|2:22
 * Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
 * Win
 * align=center|33–8
 * Linton Vassell
 * TKO (punches)
 * PFL 1 (2024)
 * April 4 2024
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|3:11
 * San Antonio, Texas, United States
 * Loss
 * align=center|32–8
 * Renan Ferreira
 * TKO (punches)
 * PFL 10 (2023)
 * November 24 2023
 * align=center|2
 * align=center|0:26
 * Washington, D.C., United States
 * 2023 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Final.
 * Win
 * align=center|32–7
 * Jordan Heiderman
 * Submission (arm-triangle choke)
 * PFL 8 (2023)
 * August 18 2023
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|4:16
 * New York City, New York, United States
 * 2023 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
 * Win
 * align=center|31–7
 * Yorgan De Castro
 * KO (punch)
 * PFL 5 (2023)
 * June 16 2023
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|0:18
 * Atlanta, Georgia, United States
 * Win
 * align=center|30–7
 * Cezar Ferreira
 * KO (punches)
 * PFL 3 (2023)
 * April 14 2023
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|2:07
 * Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * Win
 * align=center|29–7
 * Maurice Greene
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * PFL 5 (2022)
 * June 24 2022
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|5:00
 * Atlanta, Georgia, United States
 * Win
 * align=center|28–7
 * Cody Goodale
 * TKO (punches)
 * PFL 2 (2022)
 * April 28 2022
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|3:20
 * Arlington, Texas, United States
 * Loss
 * align=center|27–7
 * Ante Delija
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * PFL 8 (2021)
 * August 19 2021
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|5:00
 * Hollywood, Florida, United States
 * 2021 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
 * Win
 * align=center|27–6
 * Brandon Sayles
 * TKO (punches)
 * PFL 6 (2021)
 * June 25 2021
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|1:24
 * Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
 * Win
 * align=center|26–6
 * Muhammed DeReese
 * TKO (punches)
 * PFL 3 (2021)
 * May 6 2021
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|4:21
 * Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
 * Loss
 * align=center|25–6
 * Ali Isaev
 * TKO (punches)
 * rowspan=2|PFL 9 (2019)
 * rowspan=2|October 31 2019
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|4:59
 * rowspan=2|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * 2019 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
 * Win
 * align=center|25–5
 * Satoshi Ishii
 * Decision (majority)
 * align=center|2
 * align=center|5:00
 * 2019 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
 * Win
 * align=center|24–5
 * Kelvin Tiller
 * Submission (Ezekiel choke)
 * PFL 6 (2019)
 * 2019-08-8
 * align="center"|2
 * align="center"|3:40
 * Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
 * Win
 * align=center|23–5
 * Jared Rosholt
 * TKO (punches)
 * PFL 3 (2019)
 * 2019-06-6
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|2:03
 * Uniondale, New York, United States
 * Win
 * align=center|22–5
 * Ednaldo Oliveira
 * Submission (brabo choke)
 * S-70: Plotforma Cup 2018
 * 2018-08-22
 * align="center"|2
 * align="center"|4:51
 * Sochi, Russia
 * Win
 * align=center|21–5
 * Atanas Djambazov
 * Submission (Ezekiel choke)
 * Russian Cagefighting Championship
 * 2018-02-25
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|4:59
 * Yekaterinburg, Russia
 * Win
 * align=center|20–5
 * Chase Gormley
 * KO (punch)
 * ACB 77
 * 2017-12-23
 * align="center"|2
 * align="center"|2:16
 * Moscow, Russia
 * Loss
 * align=center|19–5
 * Mukhomad Vakhaev
 * TKO (submission to punches)
 * ACB 67
 * 2017-08-19
 * align="center"|4
 * align="center"|1:57
 * Grozny, Russia
 * Lost the ACA Heavyweight Championship.
 * Win
 * align=center|19–4
 * Salimgerey Rasulov
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * ACB 50
 * 2016-12-18
 * align="center"|5
 * align="center"|5:00
 * Saint Petersburg, Russia
 * Won the ACA Heavyweight Championship.
 * Win
 * align=center|18–4
 * Paul Buentello
 * KO (head kick)
 * ACB 41
 * 2016-07-15
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|3:07
 * Sochi, Russia
 * Win
 * align=center|17–4
 * Mike Kyle
 * Technical Submission (triangle choke)
 * ACB 32
 * 2016-03-26
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|2:18
 * Moscow, Russia
 * Win
 * align=center|16–4
 * John Hawk
 * TKO (punches)
 * Tech-Krep FC: Prime Selection 7
 * 2015-10-9
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|2:14
 * Krasnodar, Russia
 * Defended the Tech-KREP FC Heavyweight Championship.
 * Win
 * align=center|15–4
 * James McSweeney
 * TKO (head kick and punches)
 * Tech-Krep FC: Prime Selection 4
 * 2015-07-24
 * align="center"|2
 * align="center"|0:46
 * Krasnodar, Russia
 * Defended the Tech-Krep FC Heavyweight Championship.
 * Win
 * align=center|14–4
 * Peter Graham
 * Submission (kimura)
 * Tech-Krep FC: Ermak Prime Challenge
 * 2015-04-03
 * align="center"|2
 * align="center"|3:23
 * Krasnodar, Russia
 * Defended the Tech-Krep FC Heavyweight Championship.
 * Win
 * align=center|13–4
 * Zoumana Cisse
 * Submission (armbar)
 * Tech-Krep FC: Battle of Heroes
 * 2014-12-12
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|4:04
 * Saint Petersburg, Russia
 * Won the vacant Tech-Krep FC Heavyweight Championship.
 * Win
 * align=center|12–4
 * Brett Rogers
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * Tech-Krep FC: Prime 3
 * 2014-09-19
 * align="center"|3
 * align="center"|5:00
 * Krasnodar, Russia
 * Win
 * align=center|11–4
 * Roy Boughton
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * Tech-Krep FC: Prime Crimea
 * 2014-05-23
 * align="center"|3
 * align="center"|5:00
 * Simferopol, Crimea
 * Win
 * align=center|10–4
 * Ivo Skopljak
 * Submission (armbar)
 * Tech-Krep FC: Prime 1
 * 2014-03-21
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|1:50
 * Krasnodar, Russia
 * Win
 * align=center|9–4
 * Szymon Bajor
 * KO (punch)
 * Union of Veterans: Cup Of Champions 2013
 * 2013-12-21
 * align="center"|2
 * align="center"|4:07
 * Novosibirsk, Russia
 * Win
 * align=center|8–4
 * Dritan Barjamaj
 * Submission (guillotine choke)
 * S-70: Plotforma Cup 2013
 * 2013-08-17
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|1:00
 * Sochi, Russia
 * Win
 * align=center|7–4
 * Tadas Rimkevičius
 * TKO (punches)
 * Global Fight Club 1
 * 2012-12-14
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|1:25
 * Novorossiysk, Russia
 * Win
 * align=center|6–4
 * Yuri Gorbenko
 * KO (head kick)
 * Lion's Fights 2
 * 2012-09-02
 * align="center"|2
 * align="center"|0:58
 * Kolpino, Russia
 * Loss
 * align=center|5–4
 * Akhmed Sultanov
 * Submission (heel hook)
 * M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Rizzo
 * 2012-06-21
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|1:28
 * Saint Petersburg, Russia
 * Win
 * align=center|5–3
 * Konstantin Erokhin
 * KO (backfist)
 * League S-70: Russian Championship Third Round
 * 2012-04-06
 * align="center"|3
 * align="center"|1:40
 * Moscow, Russia
 * Win
 * align=center|4–3
 * Teymur Aslanov
 * Submission (triangle choke)
 * M-1 Challenge 29
 * 2011.11.19
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|1:55
 * Ufa, Russia
 * Loss
 * align=center|3–3
 * Alexander Volkov
 * TKO (punches)
 * M-1 Challenge 25
 * 2011-04-28
 * align="center"|2
 * align="center"|3:05
 * Saint Petersburg, Russia
 * Loss
 * align=center|3–2
 * Dmitry Poberezhets
 * Submission (rear-naked choke)
 * ProFC 26: Union Nation Cup 14
 * 2011-04-9
 * align="center"|2
 * align="center"|1:54
 * Rostov-on-Don, Russia
 * Win
 * align=center|3–1
 * Ilya Dzhadugishvili
 * TKO (punches)
 * ProFC 25: Union Nation Cup 13
 * 2011-02-13
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|1:26
 * Kharkiv, Ukraine
 * Loss
 * align=center|2–1
 * Ibragim Ibragimov
 * Submission (heel hook)
 * ProFC 23: Union Nation Cup 11
 * 2010-12-25
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|4:35
 * Babruysk, Belarus
 * Win
 * align=center|2–0
 * Marat Aliaskhabov
 * Submission (straight armbar)
 * M-1 Challenge 21
 * 2010-10-28
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|4:56
 * Saint Petersburg, Russia
 * Win
 * align=center|1–0
 * Igor Kukurudziak
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * M-1: Battle On The Neva 4
 * 2010-08-19
 * align="center"|3
 * align="center"|5:00
 * Saint Petersburg, Russia
 * }
 * M-1 Challenge 29
 * 2011.11.19
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|1:55
 * Ufa, Russia
 * Loss
 * align=center|3–3
 * Alexander Volkov
 * TKO (punches)
 * M-1 Challenge 25
 * 2011-04-28
 * align="center"|2
 * align="center"|3:05
 * Saint Petersburg, Russia
 * Loss
 * align=center|3–2
 * Dmitry Poberezhets
 * Submission (rear-naked choke)
 * ProFC 26: Union Nation Cup 14
 * 2011-04-9
 * align="center"|2
 * align="center"|1:54
 * Rostov-on-Don, Russia
 * Win
 * align=center|3–1
 * Ilya Dzhadugishvili
 * TKO (punches)
 * ProFC 25: Union Nation Cup 13
 * 2011-02-13
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|1:26
 * Kharkiv, Ukraine
 * Loss
 * align=center|2–1
 * Ibragim Ibragimov
 * Submission (heel hook)
 * ProFC 23: Union Nation Cup 11
 * 2010-12-25
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|4:35
 * Babruysk, Belarus
 * Win
 * align=center|2–0
 * Marat Aliaskhabov
 * Submission (straight armbar)
 * M-1 Challenge 21
 * 2010-10-28
 * align="center"|1
 * align="center"|4:56
 * Saint Petersburg, Russia
 * Win
 * align=center|1–0
 * Igor Kukurudziak
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * M-1: Battle On The Neva 4
 * 2010-08-19
 * align="center"|3
 * align="center"|5:00
 * Saint Petersburg, Russia
 * }
 * Win
 * align=center|1–0
 * Igor Kukurudziak
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * M-1: Battle On The Neva 4
 * 2010-08-19
 * align="center"|3
 * align="center"|5:00
 * Saint Petersburg, Russia
 * }
 * Saint Petersburg, Russia
 * }
 * }