Denis Goltsov

Denis Alexandrovich Goltsov (Russian: Денис Александрович Гольцов; born 10 June 1990) is a Russian sambo competitor, mixed martial artist, and former amateur boxer. 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. As of January 27, 2026, he is #3 in the PFL heavyweight rankings.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Goltsov faced Corey Anderson at PFL Champions Series 2 on July 19, 2025, and lost the bout via technical knockout in the second round.

• 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

• MMA Fighting

  • 2024 First Team MMA All-Star

• Fédération Internationale de Sambo (FIAS)

  • Sambo World Champion (2 times)
  • Sambo European Champion (2 times)
  • Russian National Champion (3 times)

• Russian Boxing Federation

• 2008 Anapa Russian Junior National Championships (+91 kg)

• Professional MMA record for Denis Goltsov from Sherdog