Atlanta, GA — Russian heavyweight Denis Goltsov is sitting atop the leader board with six points heading into Friday’s PFL 5, but he’s not reading too much into that.
“I’ve been in this position already many times as a leader, in first place,” Goltsov (30-7) told Cageside Press on Wednesday. “However, we have to wait for semifinals and finals, because that’s where all the party really starts. I’m not really paying attention that I’m the top leader, I’m more going to be paying attention on actual fights and fighting.”
Goltsov stopped Cezar Ferreira to secure the lead back in April, after several years spent in the promotion. Since joining the PFL in 2019, Goltsov has seen both himself and the promotion as a whole develop.
“I’m very happy, of course the growth has been phenomenal for both myself and for PFL,” Goltsov stated. “PFL was not really known, now it’s one of the biggest, leading MMA organizations in the world, and it’s very prestigious to fight [for them]. It’s very hard fights here, so I’m very happy how the PFL is and where I’m at. It’s a high-level organization and I’m happy to be fighting for them.”
Against Yorgan De Castro, Russia’s Goltsov knows that one punch could change his night.
“There’s many things that can happen, however Yorgan is a very heavy puncher, so you have to be careful with him,” said Goltsov. “But at the same time, I have really good boxing skills myself. So I think possibly it can end up on the feet, and then striking.”
Watch our full interview with PFL 5 heavyweight Denis Goltsov above.
