Dakota Ditcheva def. Jena Bishop at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos

Check out these photos from Dakota Ditcheva vs. Jena Bishop at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 in Nashville, Tenn.

Check out these photos from [autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag]’s victory over Jena Bishop in their women’s flyweight semifinals bout at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1, which took place at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (Photos by Cooper Neill, PFL MMA)

2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos from Nashville

Check out these photos from the fights at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 in Nashville, Tenn.

Check out these photos from the fights at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1, which took place at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (Photos by Cooper Neill, PFL MMA)

(Gallery will be updated throughout the event.)

Denis Goltsov def. Tim Johnson at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos

Check out these photos from Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 in Nashville, Tenn.

Check out these photos from [autotag]Denis Goltsov[/autotag]’s victory over Tim Johnson in their heavyweight semifinals bout at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1, which took place at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (Photos by Cooper Neill, PFL MMA)

2024 PFL Playoffs 1 results: Denis Goltsov, Dakota Ditcheva punch finals tickets with finishes

Check out the full results from 2024 PFL Playoffs 1, which saw heavyweights and women’s flyweights fight for their spot in the $1M finals.

PFL Playoffs 1 (ESPN/ESPN+) took place Friday at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., and MMA Junkie provided live round-by-round coverage throughout the card.

In the main event, top heavyweight seed Denis Goltsov (35-8) took on Tim Johnson (18-10) in the playoff semifinals. In the co-feature, No. 1 women’s flyweight seed Dakota Ditcheva (13-0) entered as a heavy favorite against Jena Bishop (7-2).

On the other side of the brackets, Oleg Popov (19-1) met Linton Vassell (24-10) in the first heavyweight semifinal and Bellator champion Liz Carmouche (22-8), who missed weight, took on the favored Taila Santos (22-3).

Full 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 lineup

MAIN CARD (ESPN/ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

  • Sergey Bilostenniy def. Tyrell Fortune via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 2:00
  • Alexei Pergande def. Daniel Boehle via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Cody Law def. Zachary Hicks via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:15
  • Dedrek Sanders def. Sergio Cossio via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:34
  • Anthony Ivy def. Jaleel Willis via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:49
  • Kevin Pease def. Nick Meck via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson

Round 1 – Johnson rushes forward with punches into a clinch, just avoiding a big counter from Goltsov. They quickly separate, though. Goltsov lands a left jab. A moment later, Goltsov charges ahead with punches into a clinch, and gets the takedown. Now on top, Goltsov begins landing ground and pound. Full mount for Goltsov, and the punches continue. Johnson gives up his back, but Goltsov keeps punching until the referee stops it. Wow. That was a dominant display from Goltsov!

Records: Goltsov (35-8), Johnson (18-10)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Result: Denis Goltsov def. Tim Johnson via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:26
Notes: Heavyweight semifinal
Photos: Denis Goltsov def. Tim Johnson at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos

Dakota Ditcheva vs. Jena Bishop

Round 1 – The feel-out process sees Ditcheva stick and move while controlling the center. Bishop finds her entry and gets a big takedown, lifting and dumping Ditcheva to the ground. A triangle threat helped Ditcheva work her way back up, but Bishop stays stuck to the hips. Ditcheva gets free with just over 90 seconds to go. Ditcheva gets a Thai clinch and drills a knee, dropping Bishop to the canvas! Ditcheva lets Bishop back up. Bang! A straight right hand sits Bishop down again and that’s it! What a finish by Ditcheva!

Records: Ditcheva (13-0), Bishop (7-2)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Blake Grice
Result: Dakota Ditcheva def. Jena Bishop via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:54
Notes: Women’s flyweight semifinal
Recap: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 video: Dakota Ditcheva bundles Jena Bishop, goes off during post-fight interview
Photos: Dakota Ditcheva def. Jena Bishop at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos

Oleg Popov vs. Linton Vassell

Round 1 – Powerful single strikes are exchanged early: Popov with kicks, Vassell with punches. Popov changes levels for a takedown and gets top position in the center of the cage. Vassell works his way back up nicely and lands a couple of knees in the clinch. Popov executes a clean hip toss, but Vassell pops right back up. Popov sticks with the clinch and doesn’t give up on getting the fight to the ground. Vassell lands a few punches while defending, but Popov adjusts his position and lands a few of his own. He also completes the takedown just before the horn.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Popov.

Round 2 – Popov lands a nice right to start the round. A left not too far behind it. Popov starts bouncing, light on his feet before darting in for a takedown. Vassell works back up, but once again, Popov sticks with him and brings the fight back to the mat. Vassell throws up a triangle, but it’s easily brushed away. As Vassell gets his back to the cage, Popov lands punches to the face as the crowd begins to show its displeasure with Vassell’s effort to get up. Popov just keeps the wrestling grind going, though.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Popov.

Round 3 – Popov’s grappling dominance continues. An easy takedown puts Vassell back on the ground, trying to work back up to his feet. Popov is relentless here, completely shutting down any offense from Vassell. The crowd doesn’t like it because there’s not much action here, but Popov is winning the round as the time ticks away.

Records: Popov (19-1), Vassell (24-10)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Result: Oleg Popov def. Linton Vassell via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Notes: Heavyweight semifinal
Photos: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos from Nashville

Taila Santos vs. Liz Carmouche

Round 1 – Carmouche comes out offering an array of strikes but eats a solid counter hook. Punches in combination from Carmouche continue and there’s the takedown shot. Santos defends it well against the cage, though. Carmouche stays on the hips without much movement, causing the referee to call for action. Santos reverses the position and gets the trip takedown. Initially on top, Santos takes the back as Carmouche scrambles. Santos looks for a rear-naked choke, but time is short, and can’t get it before the horn.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Santos.

Round 2 – Carmouche goes first in the exchanges, firing off punches and leg kicks. Santos responds with a few kicks of her own, and punches upstairs. Hard inside leg kicks are exchanged. They continue to trade strikes, and Santos blitzes forward. Another hard punch lands for Santos, appears to hurt Carmouche. Santos closes in and looks for the takedown. Carmouche eventually gets control and hits the trip into side control, but can’t do much with it before the round ends.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Santos.

Round 3 – Carmouche quickly gets a big takedown. Santos gets back to her feet, but Carmouche keeps the body lock against the cage. They separate after wrestling for position midway through the round. Santos fires off a 1-2 combo and Carmouche responds with a right. A big 1-2 from Santos follows a moment later. Carmouche charges forward with punches into a takedown attempt, but it’s sprawled nicely by Santos. Carmouche eventually gets one last takedown with 10 seconds to go, and that’s the fight.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Carmouche, but the fight goes to Santos, 29-28.

Records: Santos (22-3), Carmouche (22-8)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Blake Grice
Result: Taila Santos def. Liz Carmouche via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Notes: Women’s flyweight semifinal
Photos: Taila Santos def. Liz Carmouche at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos

Sergei Bilostenniy vs. Tyrell Fortune

Round 1 – A few leg kicks are traded to start, but it’s Fortune who gets the upper hand first with a nice early takedown. Bilostenniy looks for a leg lock as Fortune stands over but eats a few heavy punches. Bilostenniy sticks with it though, and really cranks down on a heel hook. Fortune appears in pain, but is refusing to tap. Bilostenniy keeps cranking. This looks really painful. Fortune screams in pain and the referee comes in to stop the fight for the verbal submission!

Records: Bilostenniy (13-3), Fortune (14-3)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Result: Sergey Bilostenniy def. Tyrell Fortune via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 2:00
Recap: Heavyweight heel hook! Sergey Bilostenniy destroys Tyrell Fortune’s leg at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1
Photos: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos from Nashville

Daniel Boehle vs. Alexei Pergande

Round 1 – Boehle gets right into it, swinging a flurry of punches. Pergande fires back and then finds a clinch. On the exit, Pergande lands a stiff knee to the body that hurt Boehle. A jumping switch knee to the jaw right behind it! Pergande takes top position on the mat momentarily, but they get back to a standing position. Pergande then grazes with a head kick and a combo of punches. Boehle looks to grab a hold, but Pergande stuffs him. After a brief clinch, Pergande fires off a few more strikes before Boehle gets another tie up. Pergande lands another solid shot on the break. Pergande wins a final heated exchange before the horn.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Pergande.

Round 2 – The action picks right back up with intense striking exchanges. Boehle looks for a single leg takedown. Pergande backflips off his plant leg while also trying to land a kick to escape! That was wild! Pergande’s innovation works, and he takes control of the grappling. On the ground now, Pergande works from guard. Boehle throws up an armbar attempt, but there’s not enough time in the round and Pergande just waits for the horn.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Pergande.

Round 3 – Boehle comes out swinging with relentless forward pressure. Pergande is forced to stay light and circle, picking his spots to counter. Pergande gets double under, and eventually hits a trip takedown. In the scramble, Pergande slaps on an anaconda choke, but it’s not there, and ends up back in guard. The action stalls and the referee stands them up. Pergande lands a question mark kick and stuffs another takedown. Boehle tries to roll for a submission, but Pergande defends well and ends the fight the back.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Pergande, giving him the fight 30-27.

Records: Featherweight (4-3), Pergande (5-0)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Eric McMahon
Result: Alexei Pergande def. Daniel Boehle via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos from Nashville

Zachary Hicks vs. Cody Law

Round 1 – Law takes the center and takes the lead in the initial striking exchanges. Hicks looks for a takedown but gets stuffed. Law scrambles to take the back and gets an arm under the chin, and wow! There’s a quick tap!

Records: Hicks (9-6), Law (10-2)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Blake Grice
Result: Cody Law def. Zachary Hicks via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:15
Photos: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos from Nashville

Sergio Cossio vs. Dedrek Sanders

Round 1 – Sanders leads the dance early by dictating the striking range, staying light on his feet, and picking his shots. A front kick from Sanders goes low, but Cossio is ready to resume. Sanders gets back to putting punches together well. Darting in and out, Sanders starts to light up Cossio! Sanders has Cossio in trouble. More punches land as Cossio’s back is against the cage. Bang! A hooking left mid-flurry floors Cossio, and it’s over!

Records: Cossio (27-10-1), Sanders (9-4)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Eric McMahon
Result: Dedrek Sanders def. Sergio Cossio via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:34
Photos: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos from Nashville

Anthony Ivy vs. Jaleel Willis

Round 1 – Willis quickly charges at Ivy, but his immediate look for a takedown doesn’t go his way. Ivy gets the fight to the ground and lands a few punches on the mat. Willis works his way back up, but Ivy stays stuck to him. A cage clinch gets reversed, but Ivy hits a beautiful toss to the mat, and scrambles his way to the back. Willis shows off some nice defense from the position and finds a way to reverse the position to get back up and land a nice kick before the horn.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Ivy.

Round 2 – The round starts off with a few even striking exchanges, but nothing too intense. Out of nowhere, Willis lands a sharp counter right hook that floors Ivy. Willis rushes in, but Ivy gets a hold of him to prevent a finish from follow-up strikes. Willis opts to jump on an arm-triangle choke, and it appears deep, but Ivy slips out. Now Ivy wrestles his way to top position. Punches from Ivy on top. Willis tries to scramble out of the position, but gives up his back in the process. Ivy has a rear-naked choke now! It’s locked in! There’s the tap! Wow. What a wild round for Ivy who was nearly knocked out, but finds a submission!

Records: Ivy (15-7), Willis (16-7)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Result: Anthony Ivy def. Jaleel Willis via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:49
Recap: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 video: UFC vet Anthony Ivy continues career U-turn with comeback finish of Jaleel Willis
Photos: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos from Nashville

Nick Meck vs. Kevin Pease

Round 1 – Meck looks to set the tone with his wrestling game, getting the fight to the mat early. Pease does a good job getting back to his feet, and they exchange knees and punches in the clinch. As they separate, Meck lands a huge punch that drops Pease! Meck looks to capitalize but can’t get the finish. Pease eventually gets back to his feet and lands a few solid punches, but the round ends with Meck in on another takedown attempt.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Meck.

Round 2 – Pease flipped a switch between rounds. Now it’s Pease putting his punches together well and avoiding takedown attempts from Meck. It appears Meck may have expended too much energy in Round 1, while Pease is also benefiting from a second win. Pease is winning striking exchanges, putting together nice combinations. Now it’s Pease with the takedown on an exhausted Meck.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Pease.

Round 3 – After a few exchanges to begin the round, Meck returns to his wrestling game. But as a takedown attempt stalls, Pease starts raining down hammerfists. After a series of unanswered punches, Meck eventually moves and adjusts his entry, but Pease keeps the fight standing in the clinch. Pease lands knees to the body before changing position and looking for a takedown of his own.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Pease, giving him the fight 29-28.

Records: Meck (7-2), Pease (6-0)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Eric McMahon
Result: Kevin Pease def. Nick Meck via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos from Nashville

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2024 PFL Playoffs 1.

2024 PFL Playoffs 1 video: Dakota Ditcheva bundles Jena Bishop, goes off during post-fight interview

Dakota Ditcheva might be the biggest star in PFL – and Friday she showed a little nasty.

[autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag] is one win away from the $1 million prize.

Friday at PFL Playoffs 1, Ditcheva (13-0) finished opponent [autotag]Jena Bishop[/autotag] (7-2) with a big knee and punches to advance to the women’s flyweight final against former UFC title challenger [autotag]Taila Santos[/autotag]. The stoppage came at 3:54 of Round 1.

2024 PFL Playoffs 1 took place at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.

PFL’s poster girl for homegrown talent, Ditcheva, 26, was taken down early in the round. However, she worked her way to the feet and eventually landed a big knee to Bishop’s dome. Bishop dropped to the canvas and Ditcheva waved her back up. Bishop obliged, but backpedaled once on the feet. Ditcheva stalked her and dropped her with one big punch.

Referee Blake Grice stepped in and Ditcheva shushed the down Bishop and the crowd.

After the fight, Ditcheva gave a spicy in-cage interview where she said, “We don’t do no split decisions around here,” and blasted Bishop and company for alleged comments in the lead-up to the fight.

Ditcheva then square off with Santos (22-3), who defeated Liz Carmouche earlier on the card. They’ll fight later this year.

In 13 pro appearances, Ditcheva has tallied 12 finishes including 11 TKOs.

Bishop falls into a two-fight skid. In June, she lost a split decision to Taila Santos but still qualified for the playoffs via the season point system.

The up-to-the-minute 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 results include:

[lawrence-related id=2759966,2759854]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2024 PFL Playoffs 1.

Taila Santos def. Liz Carmouche at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos

Check out these photos from Taila Santos vs. Liz Carmouche at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 in Nashville, Tenn.

Check out these photos from [autotag]Taila Santos[/autotag]’ unanimous decision victory over Liz Carmouche in their women’s flyweight semifinal bout at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1, which took place at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (Photos by Cooper Neill, PFL MMA)

Heavyweight heel hook! Sergey Bilostenniy destroys Tyrell Fortune’s leg at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1

There was no tap. Everyone knew the damage that had happened.

It’s not every day you get a heavyweight heel hook, but that’s what fans got Friday at PFL Playoffs 1.

In a heavyweight showcase bout that served as the featured prelim, [autotag]Sergey Bilostenniy[/autotag] submitted [autotag]Tyrell Fortune[/autotag] with a gnarly heel hook at 2:00 of Round 1.

The finishing sequence was an elongated leg lock battle, which Bilostenniy (12-3) eventually won in destructive fashion. Fortune (14-3) tried his best to fight the submission, but eventually his body caved to the damage. There was no tap, but the damage was evident and referee Jason Herzog intervened.

Bilostenniy, 28, gets his revenge on Fortune, who defeated him by disqualification, due to strikes to the back of the head, in April 2023. The win was his third in a row.

Fortune, 34, adds an official loss to his record for the first time since 2021 (though he lost a fight to Daniel James in 2022 that was later overturned to a no contest).

The up-to-the-minute 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 results include:

[lawrence-related id=2759854]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2024 PFL Playoffs 1.

2024 PFL Playoffs 1 video: UFC vet Anthony Ivy continues career U-turn with comeback finish of Jaleel Willis

Anthony Ivy lost five in a row – and has since won seven straight by finish.

The improbable career turnaround for [autotag]Anthony Ivy[/autotag] continues.

At 2024 PFL Playoffs 1, Ivy (15-7) mounted a comeback vs. [autotag]Jaleel Willis[/autotag] (16-7) and finished the fight with a rear-naked choke at 4:49 of Round 2. The showcase bout Friday at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., was a 173-pound catchweight due to weight misses from both fighters.

Ivy, 34, extended his winning streak to seven – with all finishes. The stretch of success marks the extension of an unusual career rebound, as Ivy had lost five in a row and was finished three times prior to his current streak.

One of the attributes that’s allowed him to turn things around has been his toughness, which was on full display as he survived a knockdown in Round 1 and a near arm-triangle choke submission in Round 2.

With the defeat, Willis falls to 1-5 in his most recent six and could be on the cutting block. Willis is a former LFA welterweight champion who was imported from Bellator during the 2023 acquisition by PFL.

The up-to-the-minute 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 results include:

[lawrence-related id=2759854]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2024 PFL Playoffs 1.

PFL Playoffs 1 predictions: Who will reach the women’s flyweight, heavyweight $1 million finals?

Check out our staff members’ picks and analysis for the semifinals at PFL 2024 Playoffs 1 in Nashville, Tenn.

The PFL’s run toward six $1 million playoff finals starts Friday with women’s flyweights and heavyweights in the semifinals in “Music City.”

PFL Playoffs 1 (ESPN/ESPN+) takes place Friday at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

Get playoff pick results from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, as well as additional analysis, below.

2024 PFL Playoffs 1 weigh-in results: Liz Carmouche first career miss among four heavy

Check out the full 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 weigh-in results, which includes Liz Carmouche missing weight for the first time in her career.

The PFL playoffs get underway Friday, and a few fighters missed weight at the official weigh-ins for 2024 PFL Playoffs 1.

Friday’s event (ESPN/ESPN+), which takes place at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., features heavyweight and women’s flyweight playoff bouts on the main card.

In the main event, No. 1 seed [autotag]Denis Goltsov[/autotag] (34-8) takes on [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] (18-9). The co-main event features a women’s flyweight bout between undefeated No. 1 seed [autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag] (12-0) and [autotag]Jena Bishop[/autotag] (7-1).

The lone fighter to come in heavy at the official weigh-ins was [autotag]Liz Carmouche[/autotag] (22-7), who missed weight for the first time in her career, weighing in at 127 pounds. For the miss, she will be deducted one point on the scorecards in her bout against fellow UFC vet Taila Santos, and will be fined 20 percent of her purse.

The one-point deduction will only be for league advancement purposes, and will not affect the official commission result, per PFL officials.

Also, three other prelim fighters came in heavy: Sergio Cossio, Jaleel Willis and Anthony Ivy.

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The full 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 official weigh-in results include:

MAIN CARD (ESPN/ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET)

  • Denis Goltsov (247.6) vs. Tim Johnson (265.8)
  • Dakota Ditcheva (125.2) vs. Jena Bishop (125.2)
  • Oleg Popov (247.2) vs. Linton Vassell (248)
  • Taila Santos (125.2) vs. Liz Carmouche (127)*

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

  • Tyrell Fortune (255.6) vs. Sergey Bilostenniy (249.6)
  • Alexei Pergande (146) vs. Daniel Boehle (145.2)
  • Cody Law (145.4) vs. Zachary Hicks (145.6)
  • Sergio Cossio (162.8)** vs. Dedrek Sanders (155.2)
  • Jaleel Willis (172.6)*** vs. Anthony Ivy (172.8)***
  • Kevin Pease (169.2) vs. Nick Meck (170.2)

*Carmouche missed the 125-pound flyweight limit. She will receive a 1-point deduction on the scorecards should her fight against Santos go to a decision. Carmouche also forfeits 20 percent of her show purse to Santos.
**Cossio missed the 155-pound lightweight limit. He forfeits 20 percent of his show purse to Sanders.
***Willis and Ivy both missed the 170-pound welterweight limit. 

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2024 PFL Playoffs 1.