Denis Goltsov and Tim Johnson have both made names for themselves in the PFL with some massive knockouts, and they’re promising another one tomorrow night.
The Russian came within one fight of winning last year’s heavyweight title and has been on a warpath this year, knocking out Thiago Santos and stopping Linton Vassell to earn his playoff spot. Meanwhile, former UFC star Johnson earned his spot with just one fight; knocking out Danilo Marques.
Now, the pair are set to battle it out in Nashville for one of two spots in this year’s final. The winner will face either Vassell or Oleg Popov, the former of whom earned his spot as an alternate after initially being knocked out despite beating Valentin Moldavsky.
Denis Goltsov believes Tim Johnson is ‘dangerous’ prospect in PFL heavyweight tournament
Last year’s heavyweight championship finalist has landed himself among the favourites for this season with his two victories earlier in the tournament. But he admits that he is facing a dangerous test in Johnson, who after a career of decisions in the UFC has emerged as super exciting fighter in Bellator.
“Of course, maybe Tim is not one of those ‘unpredictable’ fighters,” Goltsov told Bloody Elbow via a translator in an exclusive chat. “You can kind of see what he does but even though that’s not the case he is very very durable and tough.
“He is a big man with a heavy punch and a long reach so he is a very dangerous man. In fact, he’s the most dangerous man for me right now because I’m facing him next so I’m really just looking forward to it. He is a very strong guy with a big punch and that’s understandable.
“But the big question is how many rounds and how many minutes can he be that strong and powerful fighter? The problem with a heavyweight is that if someone was able to be strong and physical for all five rounds then that is a serious struggle you have on your hands.
“But that’s not the case with heavyweights, we just have to find the way and get the win.”
Tim Johnson promises Denis Goltsov fight will be ‘wrapped up long before three’
Tim Johnson’s win over Danilo Marques was as explosive as any you could see for the brief amount of time it lasted. In the opening exchanges there was a viral double knockdown of sorts, with Johnson dropping his rival to the head while a low kick landed a bit too low and sent him down.
He managed to get through, and admits that after a brief turnaround time when he received the short-notice fight that he believed he only had about a round in him. He then found the fight-winning shot just inside of those five minutes to book his spot in the playoffs.
And he believes there’s very little chance that this weekend’s battle goes the distance, telling Bloody Elbow: “I’ve been out in Vegas for the last few weeks training so maybe I can get up to 12 minutes, not five this time, we’ll see! I think that this fight will be wrapped up before three.”
Tim Johnson brands Denis Goltsov ‘B+ in every area of fighting’
Johnson is actually close with Goltsov’s team, and notes that one of his coaches even helped him move house at one stage. The pair have even spent time together before, with Johnson claiming that his rival is ‘above average’ in all aspects of MMA, but not elite in any.
“I know Denis,” he added. “I know his training partners, I know his cornermen, they’re my old training training partners. There’s a lot of intersection between the two of us, I’ve BS’d with him a couple of times, he’s a great guy and a great competitor.
“But I don’t know, he’s B+ in every aspect of fighting. He’s not outstanding in one aspect and kind of average. He’s above average and good in all aspects; striking, against the cage, clinch, on the mats, he’s just good all around. So I guess we’re going to have to see what happens.”