PFL News & FeaturesPFL 2025 World Tournament One to Watch: Oleg Popov
The
Professional Fighters League heavyweight tournament will
continue in a matter of days, and with two different Russians in
the semifinals, the possibilities are certainly fueling interest.
With former interim Bellator
MMA champion Valentin
Moldavsky on the other side of the bracket, Oleg Popov
can see a clear path to the final and a shot at capturing PFL
gold.
Popov takes on Rodrigo Nascimento when their heavyweight semifinal buoys the PFL 2025 World Tournament 7 undercard this Friday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The PFL’s single-elimination format was built to create opportunities for fighters like Popov, who now sits two wins away from a championship.
Fighters
only get one shot! Watch the Semifinals of the PFL World Tournament
LIVE Friday, June 27 at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and
ESPN+
Battled tested in every sense of the word, Popov has come out of the gates on fire with the PFL. He has gone 4-1 in five appearances with the company, with his lone loss coming to 2024 heavyweight champion Denis Goltsov. Popov boasts 12 finishes among his 20 career victories, including nine by knockout or technical knockout. He has proven to be a difficult out for any opponent.
His showdown with Nascimento sets up as a classic striker-versus-grappler battle. Popov advanced in the draw with a split decision over Ultimate Fighting Championship alum Karl Williams in their May 1 quarterfinal. His other PFL victories have come at the expense of Linton Vassell, Davion Franklin and Steve Mowry.
Depending on how the other side of the bracket plays out, Popov could face a fellow Russian in the final, as Nemkov looks to earn his stripes against Alexander Romanov. First, he must deal with Nascimento, an American Top Team-trained Brazilian and Dana White’s Contender Series graduate with a 12-3 record and six submission wins to his credit.
Popov has already enjoyed plenty of success in MMA and now finds himself within arm’s reach of a major championship. The heavyweight tournament may be full of proven veterans, but Popov would be hard to bet against in the Final Four.
Popov takes on Rodrigo Nascimento when their heavyweight semifinal buoys the PFL 2025 World Tournament 7 undercard this Friday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The PFL’s single-elimination format was built to create opportunities for fighters like Popov, who now sits two wins away from a championship.
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Battled tested in every sense of the word, Popov has come out of the gates on fire with the PFL. He has gone 4-1 in five appearances with the company, with his lone loss coming to 2024 heavyweight champion Denis Goltsov. Popov boasts 12 finishes among his 20 career victories, including nine by knockout or technical knockout. He has proven to be a difficult out for any opponent.
His showdown with Nascimento sets up as a classic striker-versus-grappler battle. Popov advanced in the draw with a split decision over Ultimate Fighting Championship alum Karl Williams in their May 1 quarterfinal. His other PFL victories have come at the expense of Linton Vassell, Davion Franklin and Steve Mowry.
Depending on how the other side of the bracket plays out, Popov could face a fellow Russian in the final, as Nemkov looks to earn his stripes against Alexander Romanov. First, he must deal with Nascimento, an American Top Team-trained Brazilian and Dana White’s Contender Series graduate with a 12-3 record and six submission wins to his credit.
Popov has already enjoyed plenty of success in MMA and now finds himself within arm’s reach of a major championship. The heavyweight tournament may be full of proven veterans, but Popov would be hard to bet against in the Final Four.
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