Goltsov vs Santos

Who won Goltsov vs Santos?

Denis Goltsov beat Thiago Santos by knockout in the 1st round during the main card of PFL 4, on Thursday 13th June 2024 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Heavyweight division, which meant the weight limit was 265 pounds (18.9 stone or 120.2 KG).

Goltsov vs Santos stats

Denis Goltsov stepped into the octagon with a record of 32 wins, 8 losses and 0 draws, 15 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 11 by submission.

Thiago Santos made his way to the cage with a record of 22 wins, 12 losses and 0 draws, 15 of those wins coming by knock out and 1 by submission.

This was Denis Goltsov's 17th fight in the PFL, having made his debut for the promotion in 2019. Thiago Santos marked his 3rd fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2023.

Denis Goltsov's PFL record stood at 14-3-0, while Thiago Santos' came in at 0-2-0.

The stats suggested Santos had a large advantage in power over Goltsov, boasting a 68% knock out percentage over Goltsov's 47%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Goltsov had a large advantage over Santos, boasting a 34% submission rate over Santos' 5%.

Denis Goltsov was the younger man by 7 years, at 34 years old.

Goltsov had a height advantage of 3 inches over Santos. That also extended to a 2-inch reach advantage.

Goltsov's experience as a professional fighter was relatively equal to Santos', having had 6 more fights, and made his debut in 2010, 3 months earlier than Santos, whose first professional fight was in 2010. He had fought 2 less professional rounds, 80 to Santos' 82.

Goltsov vs Santos form

Goltsov had won all 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 3 opponents and going to the judges twice.

In his last fight before this contest, he had won against Jordan Heiderman at PFL Playoffs: Heavyweights & Women’s Featherweights on 18th August 2023 by submission in the 1st round at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States.

Previous to that, he had beaten Yorgan De Castro at PFL 5 on 16th June 2023 by knockout in the 1st round at Overtime Elite Arena, Atlanta.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Cezar Ferreira at PFL 3 on 14th April 2023 by knockout in the 1st round at The Theater at Virgin Hotels, Las Vegas.

Before that, he was victorious against Maurice Greene at PFL 2022 #5 on 24th June 2022 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Overtime Elite Arena, Atlanta.

He had won against Cody Goodale at PFL 2022 #2 on 28th April 2022 by knockout in the 1st round at Esports Stadium Arlington, Arlington.

Thiago Santos had beaten 1 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had lost to Yoel Romero at PFL vs. Bellator: CHAMPS on 24th February 2024 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Previous to that, he had been beaten by Rob Wilkinson at PFL 1 on 1st April 2023 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at The Theater - Virgin Hotels, Las Vegas, United States.

Going into that contest, he had been defeated by Jamahal Hill at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Hill on 6th August 2022 by knockout in the 4th round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

Before that, he had lost to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Fight Night on 12th March 2022 by unanimous decision in their 5 round contest at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

He had beaten Johnny Walker at UFC Vegas 38 on 2nd October 2021 by unanimous decision in their 5 round contest at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

Activity check

In of activity leading into the fight, Denis Goltsov had been fighting more than Thiago Santos.

Going to this contest, Denis Goltsov had last fought 1 year, 9 months and 5 days ago, while Thiago Santos' last outing had been 1 year, 2 months and 29 days ago.

Goltsov's last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years and 25 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 7 months and 12 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 7 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 1.4 rounds on average.

Santos' last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 7 months and 21 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 8 months and 22 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 20 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 4 rounds on average.

What time did Goltsov vs Santos start?

The fighters were expected to walk out at around 1:40 AM UTC , which was 9:40 PM EST or 6:40 PM PST on the West Coast of America, or 2:40 AM BST in the UK.

What were the odds on Goltsov vs Santos?

Denis Goltsov was a 2/11 (-560) favourite going into the contest, while Thiago Santos made his way into the ring at 4/1 (+400) with oddsmakers.