WASHINGTON, D.C. – The PFL crowned its newest $1 million heavyweight winner Friday.
No. 1 seed Denis Goltsov (32-7) met No. 2 Renan Ferreira (11-4) in the heavyweight season championship at The Anthem in Washington, D.C.
Go inside the matchup below, from the backstory and the buildup through the end of the fight itself, with stats, photos, preview videos, highlight videos, quotes, recaps and more.
The story will update throughout the fight and event.
How we got here
2023 PFL 8: New York City at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (Matt Ferris / PFL)
Goltsov stopped Cezar Ferreira with a first-round knockout to open the season, then took out Yorgan De Castro with a one-punch KO in just 18 seconds. In the semifinals, he submitted Jordan Heiderman for his third straight first-round finish.
Ferreira’s first fight was a loss to Rizvan Kuniev, but it was overturned to a no contest. Still, that didn’t help him with points for the postseason. For those, he took out Matheus Scheffel in 50 seconds. Then in the semifinals, he stopped Maurice Greene with a first-round TKO.
Denis Goltsov vs. Renan Ferreira: Weigh-ins
In tomorrow night's co-main event, Denis Goltsov takes on Renan Ferreira for the 2023 PFL Heavyweight World Title!
[Fri, Nov 24th | 8pm ET on ESPN+PPV|🔗 https://t.co/9tors69QSM| #PFLWorldChampionship] pic.twitter.com/UUGtOXihLC
— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 23, 2023
Fight Day messages
Final betting odds
2023 PFL 8: New York Ceremonial Weigh Ins at the The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Goltsov closed as a -270 favorite; the comeback on Ferreira was +220.
Denis Goltsov vs. Renan Ferreira: The fight
Records: Goltsov (32-7), Ferreira (11-4)
Round 1: Goltsov made things look easy on top working ground and pound and chasing submissions. He outstruck Ferreira in the round.
Round 2: Early in the second, Ferreira caught Goltsov with a left hand and put him on the canvas. He pounced and landed hammerfists until he got the finish 26 seconds into the frame for a $1 million check.
WOAHH 2ND ROUND TKO FOR RENAN FERREIRA 🔨🔨🔨#PFLWorldChampionship LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN+ PPV
🔗 https://t.co/9tors69QSM
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/3qeEsDpOl8— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 25, 2023
The aftermath
Ryan Bader def. Fedor Emelianenko | Bellator 290
There are PFL vs. Bellator champion bouts on the horizon after the promotions merged. That means Ferreira is in line for a fight with Bellator heavyweight and former light heavyweight champ Ryan Bader.
One more matchup we are all going to be looking forward to#PFLWorldChampionship LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN+ PPV
🔗 https://t.co/VHrs9SPEfk
🌎 https://t.co/KBGUrUXBLA pic.twitter.com/Im1CzOMKio— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) November 25, 2023
Ferreira post-fight interview
Renan Ferreira wants Francis Ngannou next#PFLWorldChampionship LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN+ PPV
🔗 https://t.co/9tors69QSM
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/3jQ8nQLo1J— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 25, 2023
Renen Ferreira with MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn
Fight photos
2023 PFL Championship scorecards
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
