Despite what can only be seen as an excellent result, Bilostenniy (14-4) found room for improvement.

“Overall, I’m not fully happy with my performance. Obviously a win is a win; I’m self-critical, so certain things could have gone a different way,” he told media outlets including Cageside Press following the match-up. “But we got the win, that’s what matters.”

As to what specifically he wasn’t happy with, “I felt like it was not my normal speed, I was a little bit slow,” he elaborated. “If I could have been 100%, I would have finished him much earlier.”

The end came towards the second round, when Bilostenniy knocked out Williams with a left hand.

As for what’s next, the Russian is hoping to compete again in 2025. “I definitely would like to have another fight. I’ve had already four fights with the PFL, and I think the performance was great. So whether this year, or next season, I feel like part of the PFL family. I definitely would like to continue.”

He also hopes to be part of the PFL World Tournament in 2026, though even if he’s not, the goal is to keep on fighting for the promotion.

“To what I understand, my contract still has an option to be in the tournament next year. So if that’s the case, I would love to. Whether I have regular showcase bouts or being part of the tournament, I just like fighting and I want to keep doing that.”

Bilostenniy was eliminated from this year’s World Tournament by fellow Russian star Valentin Moldavsky.

Watch the full PFL Hollywood post-fight press conference appearance by Sergey Bilostenniy above.

The post PFL Hollywood: Sergey Bilostenniy Hopes to Be Back in World Tournament Next Year appeared first on Cageside Press.

“I don’t like so many fighters from Russian because Sergey (Bilostenniy) is my good friend, but it’s sport. Maybe we must fight,” Moldavsyk told reporters including Cageside Press on Tuesday.

“Now (or) maybe next fight we fight with Oleg Popov. It’s a sport.”

Moldavsky (13-4) is part of the Red Devil Sport Club lead by Fedor Emelianenko which has been friendly with Russian fighters like Bilostenniy. They may be friendly, but the job is the job. Moldavsky spoke on why Fedor’s team is so important to him.

“We training with Fedor and the whole team. With Vadim Nemkov, Victor, Oleg Popov. Fedor came to our training like a coach,” he said.

Emelianenko is an MMA legend in his own right, but Russia has produced some very high level fighters. Moldavsky had a short list of the top 5 in his mind.

“Fedor Emelianenko, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Vadim Nemkov, Vitaly Minakov,” he said.

“And that’s all I think.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Valentin Moldavasky above. He takes on Sergey Bilostenniy at PFL World Tournament on Thursday night.

The post Valentin Moldavsky Doesn’t Like To Fight Russians, but “It’s a sport.” appeared first on Cageside Press.

Bilostenniy (13-3) has trained with Moldavsky’s team which is lead by MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko. The Russian doesn’t think the relationship will suffer when the two heavyweights collide.

“I do appreciate and respect their team. Fedor obviously has a great team around him. A lot of heavyweight and that’s great always training or practicing. We don’t have that many heavyweights in Russia,” Bilostenniy said.

“Maintaining that relationship with them is great. I didn’t train with them after the last fight specially when I knew I was going to fight Valentin, but overall we have nice relationships.”

Fighting an opponent whose part of a team you’ve trained with before could be an issue, but Bilostenniy believes both men are professional enough to do their work and leave feelings outside of it.

“No I don’t see big problem with that. For me it’s just work and you have to prepared for anything. We just get out there. This is the epitome of our work,” he said.

“When we go (into) the cage that’s when it happens. You just get in there, you be professional, and you get out.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Sergey Bilostenniy above. He takes on Valentin Moldavsky at PFL World Tournament this Thursday night.

The post Sergey Bilostenniy Has No Issue Fighting Fellow Russian appeared first on Cageside Press.

Heavyweight is always in need of fresh bodies, and this year is no exception.

First off, a look back at last year’s list, where none of the ten fighters featured were signed to the UFC. Hugo Cunha instead signed with ONE Championship, losing his debut. Oleg Popov, meanwhile, has signed with Bellator MMA, and will debut for the promotion this February.

Hugo Cunha
Nyle Bartling
Andre Schmidt
Oleg Popov
Jesus Navarrete
Caio Machado
Kirill Kornilov
Brett Martin
Rizvan Kuniev
Aleksandr Maslov

Now, let’s take a look at 10 heavyweight prospects the UFC should sign in 2023!

The post 10 Heavyweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2023 appeared first on Cageside Press.