Tag: Thiago Santos

2024 PFL 4 winner Denis Goltsov: Thiago Santos ‘didn’t really feel that strong’

Denis Goltsov had no issues handling Thiago Santos.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – [autotag]Denis Goltsov[/autotag] had no issues handling [autotag]Thiago Santos[/autotag].

Goltsov (34-8) needed less than three minutes to TKO Santos (22-13-1) in their heavyweight bout Thursday at 2024 PFL 4 from Mohegan Sun.

Santos stepped in on short to replace Sergey Bilostenniy in what was his heavyweight debut.

“He didn’t really feel that strong,” Goltsov told MMA Junkie and other reporters through an interpreter in the post-fight scrum. “Once I was like a backpack on him, and I was controlling him, I was able to really mount him and control him and be on top. I was always in a good position.”

Goltsov was unfazed by the opponent change.

“It’s something I’m used to,” Goltsov said. “They always change opponents on me two, three times. It doesn’t matter.”

With the finish, Goltsov secured the No. 1 seed in the heavyweight playoffs. But having fallen short to claim the $1 million on multiple occasions, the 34-year-old won’t get too excited just yet.

“I’m talking like a true veteran of PFL: It doesn’t really matter,” Goltsov said. “First fights doesn’t mean anything. You just have to go. First fights doesn’t matter. You have to go and win and show everything you can do.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2024 PFL 4.

Yoel Romero def. Thiago Santos at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions: Best photos

Check out these photos from Yoel Romero vs. Thiago Santos, which took place on the main card of PFL vs. Bellator: Champions in Saudi Arabia.

Check out these photos from [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag]’s unanimous decision victory over Thiago Santos at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions, which took place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photos courtesy of PFL)

UFC veterans in MMA, karate and kickboxing action Feb. 22-25

Check out which veterans of the UFC are competing in combat sports across the globe this weekend.

This week, the UFC returns to Mexico for UFC Fight Night 237.

The event at Mexico City Arena in Mexico City features a flyweight clash between former champion [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] and [autotag]Brandon Royval[/autotag].

Many other combat sports events are taking place that feature several familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.

Check out which veterans of the global MMA leader are competing Feb. 22-25.

Scroll below to see how the UFC veterans fared last week, and see the names and details of this weekend’s competitors.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

Matchup Roundup: New UFC, PFL, Bellator fights announced in the past week (Jan. 15-21)

Check out the UFC, PFL, and Bellator fights that were first reported or confirmed by MMA Junkie in the past week.

MMA fight announcements are hard to follow. With so many outlets and channels available, it’s nearly impossible to organize.

But here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got your back.

Each week, we’ll compile all the newly surfaced fights in one spot. Every Monday, expect a feature listing everything you might have missed from the UFC, PFL, and Bellator.

Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie or officially announced by the promotions from Jan. 15-21.

7 PFL fighters punished for drug tests; multiple bout results overturned

The seven remaining PFL fighters who failed drug tests but had not received punishments were handed theirs Tuesday in Las Vegas.

Seven of the PFL fighters who tested positive for banned substances during the promotion’s 2023 season have been handed punishments by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

At a monthly commission meeting Tuesday in Las Vegas, the NAC announced a list of adjudication agreements that included suspensions, fines, and a few bout results overturned.

Out of the 36 bouts that took place across three PFL events at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in April, 10 featured fighters who were flagged, including three bouts in which both fighters tested positive.

The recent wave of positive tests triggered a response from PFL brass, which stated publicly they are looking to implement a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency testing program similar to the UFC’s.

Bruno Cappelloza, Alejandro Flores, and Krzysztof Jotko already received their punishments during the May event. Scroll below for details of the other seven fighters, who received punishments Tuesday in Las Vegas.

9 PFL fighters face suspensions following failed drug tests in Nevada

Nine PFL fighters are suspended after positive drug tests across three events, including two pairs of fighters who fought each other.

Nine PFL fighters face sanctions from the Nevada Athletic Commission after failed drug tests stemming from their first regular season bouts of the 2023 season.

At a monthly NAC meeting Tuesday, three fighters were handed sanctions, while another six had hearings announced and postponed to a later date.

Out of the 36 bouts that took place across three PFL events at The Theater at Virgin Hotels on April 1, April 7, and April 15, seven featured fighters who were flagged, including two bouts in which both fighters tested positive.

After the reading of the agenda items and announced sanctions, commission members expressed disappointment and concern at the number of PFL fighters who tested positive.

NAC executive director Jeff Mullen mentioned PFL is exploring the possibility of implementing the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency as a method of cleaning up the promotion.

PFL released the following statement prior to the hearing Wednesday.

“PFL has been notified by the Nevada State Athletic Commission that several fighters who competed in the two PFL 2023 Regular Season events this past April have been temporarily suspended until further review by the Commission,” it read.

“PFL has a zero-tolerance policy related to the usage of banned substances and complies with the U.S. State Athletic Commission requirements. Further, as the PFL moves towards the highest level of testing and compliance in the sport, PFL is engaged with USADA on the implementation of its athlete anti-doping program.

Scroll below to find out which fighters have been flagged.

Thiago Santos not giving up after PFL debut loss: ‘We’re still in the game’

“Say what you want to say, but we’re still in the game.”

[autotag]Thiago Santos[/autotag] won’t be deterred after he dropped his PFL debut.

Santos (22-12) lost a unanimous decision to 2022 light heavyweight season winner Rob Wilkinson in this past Saturday’s 2023 PFL 1 co-main event, which took place at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.

The former UFC title challenger has now lost six of his past seven fights. His lone win in that stretch came over Johnny Walker in October 2021. But despite his losing skid, “Marreta” vows to come back stronger.

“At the end of the day, we have two options, give up or continue. And how can I give up on a blessing that God grants me, even with all my difficulties and limitations I’m still here, doing and living what I love. Say what you want to say but we’re still in the game.”

“I came from nothing, so mentally I never lose. Everything is a win or a lesson.”

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Santos’ skid began when he took former UFC light heavyweight champion and current heavyweight champ Jon Jones to the brink in a split decision loss at UFC 239. Prior to that, he won eight of nine fights – including TKO finishes of Jack Hermansson, Anthony Smith and former champ Jan Blachowicz.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2023 PFL 1.

Rob Wilkinson def. Thiago Santos at 2023 PFL 1: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Rob Wilkinson’s unanimous decision win over Thiago Santos at 2023 PFL 1 in Las Vegas.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Rob Wilkinson[/autotag]’s unanimous decision win over [autotag]Thiago Santos[/autotag] at PFL 2023, Week 1 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. (Photos courtesy of PFL)

2023 PFL 1 ceremonial faceoffs video: Brendan Loughnane, Marlon Moraes size each other up

Check out the ceremonial faceoffs from the first PFL event of 2023.

LAS VEGAS – The 2023 PFL season kicks off Saturday and the promotion held its first ceremonial faceoffs Friday at The Theater at Virgin Hotels.

2023 PFL 1 features the first of two regular season fights for its featherweight and light heavyweight fighters with a main card on ESPN/ESPN+ after prelims on ESPN+.

In the main event, 2022 PFL featherweight champion [autotag]Brendan Loughnane[/autotag] (26-4) returns against former UFC bantamweight title challenger [autotag]Marlon Moraes[/autotag] (23-11-1).

Also on the card, 2022 PFL light heavyweight champion [autotag]Robert Wilkinson[/autotag] (17-2) takes on former UFC light heavyweight title challenger [autotag]Thiago Santos[/autotag] (22-11).

Check out the ceremonial faceoffs above and the full fight card below.

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

  • Brendan Loughnane vs. Marlon Moraes
  • Rob Wilkinson vs. Thiago Santos
  • Will Fleury vs. Krzysztof Jotko
  • Movlid Khaybulaev vs. Ryoji Kudo
  • Bubba Jenkins vs. Chris Wade

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

  • Mohammad Fakhreddine vs. Marthin Hamlet
  • Sam Kei vs. Josh Silveira
  • Alejandro Flores vs. Daniel Torres
  • Sung Bin Jo vs. Jesus Pinedo
  • Ty Flores vs. Delan Monte
  • Cory Hendricks vs. Impa Kasanganay