PFL Playoffs: Renan Ferreira and Denis Goltsov to square off for world title and $1million prize
- Planet Sport writer
- 19 August 2023
There was an explosive night of MMA action in New York as all four of Friday's PFL Playoff bouts came to an end in the first round.
PFL Playoffs delivered in a big way last Friday night as world title bouts were confirmed.
In the main event, Renan Ferreira clinched a spot in the $1 million PFL World Championship with a first round knockout of Maurice Greene.
Ferreira dominated the action and now takes aim at Denis Goltsov and a PFL World Heavyweight Championship.
In the evening's co-main event, top-seeded Larissa Pacheco needed just 14 seconds, a PFL Women's record, to dominate Olena Kolesnyk.
The TKO victory returns Pacheco to the $1 million PFL World Championship where she will look to become the first two-division women's champion when she faces Marina Mokhnatkina.
In Heavyweight Playoff action, Denis Goltsov punched his ticket to the 2023 PFL World Championship with a dominant first round submission victory over Jordan Heiderman. Goltsov, now 32-7, heads to the PFL World Championship for the first time.
The 2023 PFL Playoff action kicked off in the Women's Featherweight division with a record setting performance by Marina Mokhnatkina.
Mokhnatkina submitted Amber Leibrock with an armbar at 1:45 of the first round marking the fastest submission in PFL women's history.
The submission victory puts Mokhnatkina a step closer to a PFL World Championship.
"Tonight four remarkable fighters continued their million dollar PFL Championship dreams," said PFL CEO Peter Murray.
"We look forward to our final PFL Playoff event this Wednesday, August 23, which will determine the remaining matchups in the 2023 PFL World Championship."
PFL President of Fighter Operations Ray Sefo added: "Tonight the PFL once again provided fans around the world with can't miss action.
"Congratulations to the four athletes who punched their tickets to the 2023 PFL World Championship."
In the first main card bout, 2023 PFL Challenger Series alum Nathan Kelly turned in a dominant performance defeating Damion Nelson by unanimous decision. The victory was Kelly's eighth straight.
In a Heavyweight Showcase bout, Danilo Marques used his reach and striking to keep Satoshi Isii at bay for three rounds winning by unanimous decision and earning his 15th career victory.
Maira Mazar defeated Kaytlin "Katniss" Neil by split decision improving her career record to 9-6.
The PFL will continue 2023 Playoff action again from The Theater at Madison Square Garden for the final playoff event Wednesday, August 23.
Eight fighters across the Welterweight and Lightweight divisions will enter the PFL SmartCage in pursuit of a 2023 PFL World Championship opportunity.
All 2023 PFL Playoff events are live on DAZN, as well as on premier global distribution partner platforms reaching 160 countries around the world.
Complete Results
Renan Ferreira defeats Maurice Greene by 1st Round (punches, 4:46)
Larissa Pacheco defeats Olena Kolesynk by 1st Round TKO (punches, 0:14)
Denis Goltsov defeats Jordan Heiderman by 1st Round Submission (arm-triangle choke, 4:16)
Marina Mokhnatkina defeats Amber Leibrock by 1st Round Submission (armbar, 1:45)
Nathan Kelly defeats Damion Nelson by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Danilo Marques defeats Satoshi Isii by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Maira Mazar defeats Kaytlin Neil by Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
