Goltsov vs Vassell

Who won Goltsov vs Vassell?

Denis Goltsov beat Linton Vassell by knockout in the 3rd round during the co-main event of PFL 1, on Thursday 4th April 2024 at Boeing Center in San Antonio.

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 Vassell 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.

Linton Vassell made his way to the cage with a record of 23 wins, 8 losses and 0 draws, 10 of those wins coming by knock out and 8 by submission.

This was Denis Goltsov's 15th fight in the PFL, having made his debut for the promotion in 2019. Linton Vassell marked his 2nd fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2024.

Denis Goltsov's PFL record stood at 12-3-0, while Linton Vassell's came in at 1-1-0.

The stats suggested Goltsov had a slight advantage in power over Vassell, with a 47% knock out percentage over Vassell's 43%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Vassell had a slight advantage over Goltsov, with a 35% submission rate over Goltsov's 34%.

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

Goltsov had a height advantage of 1 inch over Vassell. Despite this, Vassell had a 4-inch reach advantage.

Goltsov was arguably the more experienced fighter, having had 9 more fights, and made his debut in 2010, 1 year and 11 months later than Vassell, whose first professional fight was in 2008. He had fought 7 more professional rounds, 78 to Vassell's 71.

Goltsov vs Vassell form

Goltsov had beaten 4 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 2 of them, going to the judges twice.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had lost to Renan Ferreira at PFL 10: 2023 PFL World Championship on 24th November 2023 by knockout in the 2nd round at The Anthem, Washington, United States.

Previous to that, 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.

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

Before that, 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.

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.

Vassell had won all 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 4opponents and going the distance once.

In his last fight before this contest, he had won against Valentin Moldavsky at Bellator 292 on 10th March 2023 by knockout in the 1st round at SAP Center, San Jose, United States.

Previous to that, he had beaten Timothy Johnson at Bellator 277 on 15th April 2022 by knockout in the 1st round at SAP Center, San Jose.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Tyrell Fortune at Bellator 271 on 12th November 2021 by split decision in their 3 round contest at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood.

Before that, he was victorious against Ronny Markes at Bellator 254 on 10th December 2020 by knockout in the 2nd round at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville.

He had won against Sergei Kharitonov at Bellator 234 on 14th November 2019 by knockout in the 2nd round at Menora Mivtachim Arena, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Denis Goltsov had been fighting more than Linton Vassell.

Going to this contest, Denis Goltsov had last fought 8 months and 2 days ago, while Linton Vassell's last outing had been 1 year, 4 months and 16 days ago.

Goltsov's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 1 month and 2 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 5 months and 1 day. In those fights, he fought a total of 8 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 1.6 rounds on average.

Vassell's last 5 fights had come over a period of 4 years, 8 months and 12 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 11 months and 9 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 9 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 1.8 rounds on average.

What were the odds on Goltsov vs Vassell?

Denis Goltsov was a 17/20 (-120) favourite going into the contest, while Linton Vassell made his way into the ring at 22/25 (-110) with oddsmakers.