PFL Playoffs 1 (ESPN/ESPN+) took place Friday at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., and MMA Junkie provided live round-by-round coverage throughout the card.
In the main event, top heavyweight seed Denis Goltsov (35-8) took on Tim Johnson (18-10) in the playoff semifinals. In the co-feature, No. 1 women’s flyweight seed Dakota Ditcheva (13-0) entered as a heavy favorite against Jena Bishop (7-2).
On the other side of the brackets, Oleg Popov (19-1) met Linton Vassell (24-10) in the first heavyweight semifinal and Bellator champion Liz Carmouche (22-8), who missed weight, took on the favored Taila Santos (22-3).
Full 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 lineup
MAIN CARD (ESPN/ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET)
- Denis Goltsov def. Tim Johnson via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:26 – heavyweight semifinal
- Dakota Ditcheva def. Jena Bishop via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:54 – women’s flyweight semifinal
- Oleg Popov def. Linton Vassell via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – heavyweight semifinal
- Taila Santos def. Liz Carmouche via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – women’s flyweight semifinal
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)
- Sergey Bilostenniy def. Tyrell Fortune via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 2:00
- Alexei Pergande def. Daniel Boehle via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Cody Law def. Zachary Hicks via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:15
- Dedrek Sanders def. Sergio Cossio via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:34
- Anthony Ivy def. Jaleel Willis via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:49
- Kevin Pease def. Nick Meck via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson
Round 1 – Johnson rushes forward with punches into a clinch, just avoiding a big counter from Goltsov. They quickly separate, though. Goltsov lands a left jab. A moment later, Goltsov charges ahead with punches into a clinch, and gets the takedown. Now on top, Goltsov begins landing ground and pound. Full mount for Goltsov, and the punches continue. Johnson gives up his back, but Goltsov keeps punching until the referee stops it. Wow. That was a dominant display from Goltsov!
Records: Goltsov (35-8), Johnson (18-10)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Result: Denis Goltsov def. Tim Johnson via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:26
Notes: Heavyweight semifinal
Photos: Denis Goltsov def. Tim Johnson at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos
Dakota Ditcheva vs. Jena Bishop
Round 1 – The feel-out process sees Ditcheva stick and move while controlling the center. Bishop finds her entry and gets a big takedown, lifting and dumping Ditcheva to the ground. A triangle threat helped Ditcheva work her way back up, but Bishop stays stuck to the hips. Ditcheva gets free with just over 90 seconds to go. Ditcheva gets a Thai clinch and drills a knee, dropping Bishop to the canvas! Ditcheva lets Bishop back up. Bang! A straight right hand sits Bishop down again and that’s it! What a finish by Ditcheva!
Records: Ditcheva (13-0), Bishop (7-2)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Blake Grice
Result: Dakota Ditcheva def. Jena Bishop via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:54
Notes: Women’s flyweight semifinal
Recap: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 video: Dakota Ditcheva bundles Jena Bishop, goes off during post-fight interview
Photos: Dakota Ditcheva def. Jena Bishop at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos
Oleg Popov vs. Linton Vassell
Round 1 – Powerful single strikes are exchanged early: Popov with kicks, Vassell with punches. Popov changes levels for a takedown and gets top position in the center of the cage. Vassell works his way back up nicely and lands a couple of knees in the clinch. Popov executes a clean hip toss, but Vassell pops right back up. Popov sticks with the clinch and doesn’t give up on getting the fight to the ground. Vassell lands a few punches while defending, but Popov adjusts his position and lands a few of his own. He also completes the takedown just before the horn.
Oleg Popov with the hip toss!
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— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 3, 2024
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Popov.
Round 2 – Popov lands a nice right to start the round. A left not too far behind it. Popov starts bouncing, light on his feet before darting in for a takedown. Vassell works back up, but once again, Popov sticks with him and brings the fight back to the mat. Vassell throws up a triangle, but it’s easily brushed away. As Vassell gets his back to the cage, Popov lands punches to the face as the crowd begins to show its displeasure with Vassell’s effort to get up. Popov just keeps the wrestling grind going, though.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Popov.
Round 3 – Popov’s grappling dominance continues. An easy takedown puts Vassell back on the ground, trying to work back up to his feet. Popov is relentless here, completely shutting down any offense from Vassell. The crowd doesn’t like it because there’s not much action here, but Popov is winning the round as the time ticks away.
Records: Popov (19-1), Vassell (24-10)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Result: Oleg Popov def. Linton Vassell via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Notes: Heavyweight semifinal
Photos: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos from Nashville
Taila Santos vs. Liz Carmouche
Round 1 – Carmouche comes out offering an array of strikes but eats a solid counter hook. Punches in combination from Carmouche continue and there’s the takedown shot. Santos defends it well against the cage, though. Carmouche stays on the hips without much movement, causing the referee to call for action. Santos reverses the position and gets the trip takedown. Initially on top, Santos takes the back as Carmouche scrambles. Santos looks for a rear-naked choke, but time is short, and can’t get it before the horn.
Taila Santos gets a choke locked in, but Liz fights through until the end of Round 1!
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— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 3, 2024
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Santos.
Round 2 – Carmouche goes first in the exchanges, firing off punches and leg kicks. Santos responds with a few kicks of her own, and punches upstairs. Hard inside leg kicks are exchanged. They continue to trade strikes, and Santos blitzes forward. Another hard punch lands for Santos, appears to hurt Carmouche. Santos closes in and looks for the takedown. Carmouche eventually gets control and hits the trip into side control, but can’t do much with it before the round ends.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Santos.
Round 3 – Carmouche quickly gets a big takedown. Santos gets back to her feet, but Carmouche keeps the body lock against the cage. They separate after wrestling for position midway through the round. Santos fires off a 1-2 combo and Carmouche responds with a right. A big 1-2 from Santos follows a moment later. Carmouche charges forward with punches into a takedown attempt, but it’s sprawled nicely by Santos. Carmouche eventually gets one last takedown with 10 seconds to go, and that’s the fight.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Carmouche, but the fight goes to Santos, 29-28.
Records: Santos (22-3), Carmouche (22-8)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Blake Grice
Result: Taila Santos def. Liz Carmouche via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Notes: Women’s flyweight semifinal
Photos: Taila Santos def. Liz Carmouche at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos
Sergei Bilostenniy vs. Tyrell Fortune
Round 1 – A few leg kicks are traded to start, but it’s Fortune who gets the upper hand first with a nice early takedown. Bilostenniy looks for a leg lock as Fortune stands over but eats a few heavy punches. Bilostenniy sticks with it though, and really cranks down on a heel hook. Fortune appears in pain, but is refusing to tap. Bilostenniy keeps cranking. This looks really painful. Fortune screams in pain and the referee comes in to stop the fight for the verbal submission!
Records: Bilostenniy (13-3), Fortune (14-3)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Result: Sergey Bilostenniy def. Tyrell Fortune via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 2:00
Recap: Heavyweight heel hook! Sergey Bilostenniy destroys Tyrell Fortune’s leg at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1
Photos: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos from Nashville
Daniel Boehle vs. Alexei Pergande
Round 1 – Boehle gets right into it, swinging a flurry of punches. Pergande fires back and then finds a clinch. On the exit, Pergande lands a stiff knee to the body that hurt Boehle. A jumping switch knee to the jaw right behind it! Pergande takes top position on the mat momentarily, but they get back to a standing position. Pergande then grazes with a head kick and a combo of punches. Boehle looks to grab a hold, but Pergande stuffs him. After a brief clinch, Pergande fires off a few more strikes before Boehle gets another tie up. Pergande lands another solid shot on the break. Pergande wins a final heated exchange before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Pergande.
Round 2 – The action picks right back up with intense striking exchanges. Boehle looks for a single leg takedown. Pergande backflips off his plant leg while also trying to land a kick to escape! That was wild! Pergande’s innovation works, and he takes control of the grappling. On the ground now, Pergande works from guard. Boehle throws up an armbar attempt, but there’s not enough time in the round and Pergande just waits for the horn.
Flipping our way into round 2 now!
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— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 2, 2024
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Pergande.
Round 3 – Boehle comes out swinging with relentless forward pressure. Pergande is forced to stay light and circle, picking his spots to counter. Pergande gets double under, and eventually hits a trip takedown. In the scramble, Pergande slaps on an anaconda choke, but it’s not there, and ends up back in guard. The action stalls and the referee stands them up. Pergande lands a question mark kick and stuffs another takedown. Boehle tries to roll for a submission, but Pergande defends well and ends the fight the back.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Pergande, giving him the fight 30-27.
Records: Featherweight (4-3), Pergande (5-0)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Eric McMahon
Result: Alexei Pergande def. Daniel Boehle via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos from Nashville
Zachary Hicks vs. Cody Law
Round 1 – Law takes the center and takes the lead in the initial striking exchanges. Hicks looks for a takedown but gets stuffed. Law scrambles to take the back and gets an arm under the chin, and wow! There’s a quick tap!
CODY LAW LOCKS IN A REAR NAKE CHOKE AND GETS THE TAP IN 1st ROUND!
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— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 2, 2024
Records: Hicks (9-6), Law (10-2)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Blake Grice
Result: Cody Law def. Zachary Hicks via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:15
Photos: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos from Nashville
Sergio Cossio vs. Dedrek Sanders
Round 1 – Sanders leads the dance early by dictating the striking range, staying light on his feet, and picking his shots. A front kick from Sanders goes low, but Cossio is ready to resume. Sanders gets back to putting punches together well. Darting in and out, Sanders starts to light up Cossio! Sanders has Cossio in trouble. More punches land as Cossio’s back is against the cage. Bang! A hooking left mid-flurry floors Cossio, and it’s over!
DEDREK SANDERS UNLOADS ON COSSIO FOR THE 1ST ROUND STOPPAGE!
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— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 2, 2024
Records: Cossio (27-10-1), Sanders (9-4)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Eric McMahon
Result: Dedrek Sanders def. Sergio Cossio via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:34
Photos: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos from Nashville
Anthony Ivy vs. Jaleel Willis
Round 1 – Willis quickly charges at Ivy, but his immediate look for a takedown doesn’t go his way. Ivy gets the fight to the ground and lands a few punches on the mat. Willis works his way back up, but Ivy stays stuck to him. A cage clinch gets reversed, but Ivy hits a beautiful toss to the mat, and scrambles his way to the back. Willis shows off some nice defense from the position and finds a way to reverse the position to get back up and land a nice kick before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Ivy.
Round 2 – The round starts off with a few even striking exchanges, but nothing too intense. Out of nowhere, Willis lands a sharp counter right hook that floors Ivy. Willis rushes in, but Ivy gets a hold of him to prevent a finish from follow-up strikes. Willis opts to jump on an arm-triangle choke, and it appears deep, but Ivy slips out. Now Ivy wrestles his way to top position. Punches from Ivy on top. Willis tries to scramble out of the position, but gives up his back in the process. Ivy has a rear-naked choke now! It’s locked in! There’s the tap! Wow. What a wild round for Ivy who was nearly knocked out, but finds a submission!
Records: Ivy (15-7), Willis (16-7)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Result: Anthony Ivy def. Jaleel Willis via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:49
Recap: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 video: UFC vet Anthony Ivy continues career U-turn with comeback finish of Jaleel Willis
Photos: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos from Nashville
Nick Meck vs. Kevin Pease
Round 1 – Meck looks to set the tone with his wrestling game, getting the fight to the mat early. Pease does a good job getting back to his feet, and they exchange knees and punches in the clinch. As they separate, Meck lands a huge punch that drops Pease! Meck looks to capitalize but can’t get the finish. Pease eventually gets back to his feet and lands a few solid punches, but the round ends with Meck in on another takedown attempt.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Meck.
Round 2 – Pease flipped a switch between rounds. Now it’s Pease putting his punches together well and avoiding takedown attempts from Meck. It appears Meck may have expended too much energy in Round 1, while Pease is also benefiting from a second win. Pease is winning striking exchanges, putting together nice combinations. Now it’s Pease with the takedown on an exhausted Meck.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Pease.
Round 3 – After a few exchanges to begin the round, Meck returns to his wrestling game. But as a takedown attempt stalls, Pease starts raining down hammerfists. After a series of unanswered punches, Meck eventually moves and adjusts his entry, but Pease keeps the fight standing in the clinch. Pease lands knees to the body before changing position and looking for a takedown of his own.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Pease, giving him the fight 29-28.
We go to the judges' scorecards for the 1st time tonight!
(29-28×3) all in favor of KEVIN "SWEET PEAS" PEASE!
Pease stays undefeated at 6-0, 1 NC
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— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 2, 2024
Records: Meck (7-2), Pease (6-0)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Eric McMahon
Result: Kevin Pease def. Nick Meck via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos from Nashville
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2024 PFL Playoffs 1.
