Tag: Tim Johnson

PFL announces 2025 heavyweight and light heavyweight tournament participants

Check out the full list of participants for the 2025 PFL heavyweight and light heavyweight tournaments.

The fighters competing on this year’s PFL heavyweight and light heavyweight tournaments are set.

PFL announced on Wednesday the eight fighters that will be competing in each respective weight class, along with alternate names for the 205-pound division.

At heavyweight, most notably former interim Bellator champion [autotag]Valentin Moldavsky[/autotag] and recent signee in UFC veteran [autotag]Alexander Romanov[/autotag] will be participating. And at light heavyweight, former Bellator champion and UFC veteran [autotag]Phil Davis[/autotag] will be competing alongside former PFL champions [autotag]Rob Wilkinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Antonio Carlos Jr.[/autotag]

Below is the full list of fighters set to participate in the two biggest weight classes for the PFL 2025 tournaments.

Heavyweight:

  • Valentin Moldavsky (13-4)
  • Alexander Romanov (18-3)
  • [autotag]Oleg Popov[/autotag] (19-2)
  • [autotag]Linton Vassell[/autotag] (25-10)
  • [autotag]Sergey Bilostenniy[/autotag] (13-3)
  • [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] (18-11)
  • [autotag]Pouya Rahmani[/autotag] (4-0)
  • [autotag]Abraham Bably[/autotag] (5-1)

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Light heavyweight:

  • Phil Davis (24-7)
  • Rob Wilkinson (19-3)
  • [autotag]Karl Moore[/autotag] (12-3)
  • [autotag]Marcelo Nunes[/autotag] (11-2)
  • Antonio Carlos Jr. (16-6)
  • [autotag]Simeon Powell[/autotag] (10-1)
  • [autotag]Karl Albrektsson[/autotag] (14-6)
  • [autotag]Sullivan Cauley[/autotag] (6-1)

** [autotag]Alex Polizzi[/autotag] (11-4) and [autotag]Rafael Xavier[/autotag] (13-8) will serve as alternates.

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The PFL 2025 tournaments kick off on April 3, April 11, April 18, and May 1 at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla. The completed brackets will be unveiled March 11 through a bracket reveal show on YouTube.

Fighters will need to win three consecutive bouts to win their respective tournaments. The tournaments winners will each receive a $500,000 bonus.

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PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series live results

Keep up with live and official results from the PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series event.

PFL returned to action Saturday with PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series, and MMA Junkie kept you covered with live and official results throughout the event.

PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series took place Saturday at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. The card streamed on MAX and DAZN, beginning at 11 a.m ET.

In the main event, Bellator lightweight champion [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] put that former promotion’s title on the line under the PFL banner against challenger [autotag]Paul Hughes[/autotag]. In the co-feature, former Bellator light heavyweight champion [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] returned to action against UFC veteran [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] in a heavyweight contest.

PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series results

  • Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via majority decision (47-47, 48-46, 48-46) – for Bellator lightweight title
  • Vadim Nemkov def. Tim Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:08
  • Akhmed Magomedov def. Nathan Kelly via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:20
  • Ibragim Ibragimov def. Kenny Mokhonoana via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Renat Khavalov def. Cleiver Fernandes via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Ahmed Samy def. Tarek Suleiman via TKO (referee stoppage) – Round 1, 5:00
  • Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Mike Thompson via technical submission (arm triangle) – Round 2, 2:50
  • Hadi Omar Al Hussaini def. Ruel Panales via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
  • John Mitchell def. Souhil Tairi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Haider Khan def. Mostafa Nada via TKO (injury) – Round 1, 3:18

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes

Result: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via majority decision (47-47, 48-46, 48-46)
Recap: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series results: Usman Nurmagomedov retains in early FOTY candidate vs. Paul Hughes
Photos: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes at PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Nurmagomedov (19-0), Hughes (13-2)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Mike Beltran

Tim Johnson vs. Vadim Nemkov

Result: Vadim Nemkov def. Tim Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:08
Recap: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series video: Vadim Nemkov makes quick work of Tim Johnson
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Johnson (18-11), Nemkov (19-2)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Kerry Hatley

Nathan Kelly vs. Akhmed Magomedov

Result: Akhmed Magomedov def. Nathan Kelly via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:20
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Kelly (11-3), Akhmed Magomedov (11-1)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Mike Beltran

Ibragim Ibragimov vs. Kenny Mokhonoana

Result: Ibragim Ibragimov def. Kenny Mokhonoana via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Ibragimov (9-0), Mokhonoana (10-2)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Mike Beltran

Cleiver Fernandes vs. Renat Khavalov

Result: Renat Khavalov def. Cleiver Fernandes via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Fernandes (9-2), Khavalov (9-0)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Kerry Hatley

Tarek Suleiman vs. Ahmed Samy

Result: Ahmed Samy def. Tarek Suleiman via TKO (referee stoppage) – Round 1, 5:00
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Suleiman (13-9), Samy (12-4)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Kerry Hatley

Mirafzal Akhtamov vs. Mike Thompson

Result: Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Mike Thompson via technical submission (arm triangle) – Round 2, 2:50
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Akhtamov (8-0-1), Thompson (7-3)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Mike Beltran

Hadi Omar Al Hussaini vs. Ruel Panales

Result: Hadi Omar Al Hussaini def. Ruel Panales via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Al Hussaini (6-1-1), Panales (5-3)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Kerry Hatley

John Mitchell vs. Souhil Tairi

Result: John Mitchell def. Souhil Tairi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Mitchell (10-2), Tairi (7-6-1)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Mike Bell

Mostafa Nada vs. Haider Khan

Result: Haider Khan def. Mostafa Nada via TKO (injury) – Round 1, 3:18
Recap: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series video: Haider Khan snaps opponent’s arm with vicious kick
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Nada (9-4), Khan (9-1)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Mike Bell

PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series weigh-in gallery

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai.

Ex-Bellator champion Vadim Nemkov to face Tim Johnson at PFL’s Road to Dubai on Jan. 25

Vadim Nemkov draws Tim Johnson for a heavyweight showdown at PFL’s Champion Series on Jan. 25.

[autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] will still compete after all later this month at PFL’s Road to Duabi Champions Series event.

Nemkov, who was scheduled to face Corey Anderson, now will take on heavyweight veteran [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] on Jan. 25 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Anderson announced the cancellation of their bout nearly a month ago, claiming Nemkov refused to fight him because he wanted an “easier fight.”

PFL did not announce a reason for the change. Bellator announced the news of the new matchup on Monday afternoon.

 

Nemkov (17-2), former Bellator light heavywieght champion, is on a 13-fight unbeaten streak. He was most recently seen in action in February 2024 when he retured to the heavyweight divsion after many years competing at 205 pounds. In that return, he defeated PFL veteran Bruno Cappelozza by technical submission.

On the other hand, Johnson is looking to bounce back from a TKO loss to Denis Goltsov back in August. Prior to the defeat, the former UFC heavyweight was on a three-fight wininng streak that included two stoppages.

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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 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.

‘Just happy to be fighting with a major organization,’ Tim Johnson enters PFL playoffs with zero pressure

Tim Johnson isn’t even supposed to be in the PFL heavyweight semifinals, but here he is one win away from fighting for $1 million.

[autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] isn’t even supposed to be in the PFL heavyweight semifinals, but here he is one win away from fighting for $1 million.

“At this moment, I’m just happy to be fighting with a major organization,” Johnson told MMA Junkie Radio.

Johnson had been out of a job after parting ways with Bellator shortly before the merge with PFL, which reached out to bring him back a short-notice replacement against Danilo Marques on June 13. In one of the most unusual sequences to happen in a cage, Johnson absorbed a hard groin shot at the same time he dropped Marques with a punch. After using his time to recover, Johnson charged at Marques and dropped him again before scoring the finish with ground-and-pound to clinch his spot in the tournament.

Johnson admits he was nowhere close to being in fight shape and knew that, without a first-round finish, he would be in trouble against Marques. With that improbable result out of the way, Johnson (18-9) is set to meet Denis Goltsov (34-8) in Friday’s 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 main event at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.

Even though he’s close to securing a huge bag of money, Johnson feels zero pressure to win.

“Considering where I was at not even a month-and-a-half ago, it’s nice to be back,” Johnson said. “Right now, I haven’t really been day dreaming of winning ($1 million) or anything like that, just kind of been taking it as it comes. That’s my kind of mindset. Go out there, let it rip and see what happens. What is will be. I’m not getting too worked up over winning and losing, making the finals and all that. Give it a try, give it a shot.”

Part of what goes into Johnson’s mentality is very simply that he makes no illusions about how he measures up to Goltsov.

“Denis is a heck of a fighter, way more talented than I am, but most of my opponents are that way,” Johnson said. “I’ve just got to find a way to grit through and find some way to win. …

“I’m old now. I want to be entertaining, and I want the fans to be entertained. If that means risking a big KO then I guess it is what it is.”

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

Tim Johnson reflects on absurd low blow at 2024 PFL 4: ‘I haven’t been hit in the groin like that ever’

After a gruesome shot to the testicles, Tim Johnson clinched a PFL playoff spot in abrupt fashion.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] clinched a playoff spot in abrupt fashion at 2024 PFL 4.

Johnson (18-9) scored a first-round TKO of Danilo Marques on Thursday at Mohegan Sun Arena, but had to deal with some adversity first.

In an all-time unusual sequence, Johnson absorbed a groin shot, but tagged Marques simultaneously. This resulted in both fighters crashing to the canvas. After he utilized his time to recover, Johnson charged at Marques and dropped him with a right hand. Johnson finished Marques off moments later with ground-and-pound.

“I haven’t been hit in the groin like that ever,” Johnson told MMA Junkie and other reporters after the fight at Mohegan Sun Arena. “In practice, in a fight, that was a instant. I ate two good kicks from Danilo. He started the fight with a body kick and that really – I thought I was going to go down.

“It took a lot for me to stay on my feet. It was a instant pain, didn’t even know I rolled, didn’t even know that I landed a shot until everybody was talking about it afterwards. Hopefully that doesn’t happen again. I don’t like that.”

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Johnson will meet Denis Goltsov in the 2024 PFL heavyweight semifinals. He got his wish of making the playoffs, and now hopes to have a longterm future with PFL.

Johnson parted ways with Bellator shortly before the two brands merged and was brought back for this fight as a short notice replacement.

“Hopefully no injuries or (anything) too bad and things line up score wise,” Johnson said, prior to the playoff clinch. “Maybe sneak my way into the tournament. I got to skip half of it.

“So, don’t have to wait till next season to maybe sneak my way into a million dollars. Maybe I can do it this year. Hopefully I found a home (with PFL), and I’m able to stay here. Give it actual real try one more time.”

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

2024 PFL 4 video: Tim Johnson gets punted in groin, recovers to finish Danilo Marques with strikes

A bizarre visual occurred at PFL when two heavyweights simultaneously toppled – one for a knockdown blow and one for a punt to the nuts.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – The fight between [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Danilo Marques[/autotag] was nuts – pun intended.

At 2024 PFL 4, Johnson (18-9) overcame a punting kick to the groin, turned the tables, and finished Marques (15-5) with punches at 3:14 of Round 1. The event took place Thursday at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The kick occurred in the opening minutes. At the point of contact, Johnson also dropped Marques, which made for a bizarre visual. Johnson utilized his time to recover, however, and did more than that. He came out with a head full of steam and dropped Marques with a right hand. He pounced and finished the fight with punches after he trapped Marques’ arm.

Johnson, who was a free agent brought in by PFL for the heavyweight season as a late replacment, notched six points in the promotion’s standings.

The up-to-the-minute 2024 PFL 4 results include:

  • Tim Johnson def. Danilo Marques via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:14
  • Juliana Velasquez def. Lisa Mauldin via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 1:30
  • Sumiko Inaba def. Saray Orozco via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

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

Commanders season opener in 78 days: Washington’s best No. 78?

Some good players have worn the No. 78 jersey for Washington.

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Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 78 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 78?

Ron Snidow was a defensive tackle/end for Washington from 1963-67. The former Oregon Duck collected 6.5, 5.0, 5.5 and 7.5 sacks in the 1964 through 1967 seasons. In his five Washington seasons, he totaled 24.5 sacks while recovering 7 fumbles.

Bruce Smith came to Washington in 2000, playing his last four seasons for the Redskins. With the Bills for 15 seasons, Smith totaled 171 sacks. In his last four seasons, Smith was 37 to 40 years of age. Yet he still produced sack totals of 10, 5, 9 and 5. Smith also forced 8 fumbles (recovered one) and registered 36 tackles for a loss.

Kory Lichtensteiger started 75 of his 77 games in his 7 seasons in Washington. From 2010-2013, Lichtensteiger spent most of his time at left guard before playing primarily at center in 2014-2016. He was a major factor up front during the 2012 season in which Alfred Morris rushed for 1,613 yards and Robert Griffin added 815 yards.

Tim Johnson wasn’t drafted until the 6th round (141 overall) out of Penn State. Not known for his movement, Johnson became a bull inside at defensive tackle for the Redskins from 1990-1995. He also forced three fumbles and recovered four. Johnson generated 20.5 sacks for Washington and started every game for the 1991 Super Bowl Championship team, teaming with Eric Williams to form a tremendous run-stopping duo of defensive tackles.