Denis Goltsov Values Legacy Over Money in Quest for PFL Championship

While Denis
Goltsov might be one of the most experienced competitors in the
PFL heavyweight field, he knows that can be overrated in the big
man’s division.

“Of course it’s nice to have that (experience),” Goltsov said
through an interpreter during a PFL virtual media day. “However, in
a fight one punch can change the outcome of everything, especially
at heavyweight. I just have to do my job and concentrate on getting
the win.”

Goltsov will square off against Yorgan De
Castro at
PFL 5 on Friday at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta. The main
card airs on ESPN and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, while the
prelims stream on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.
Goltsov vs. De Castro is currently slated for the preliminary
portion of the event.

Golstov is sitting pretty for a postseason birth following a
first-round finish of Cezar
Ferreira at PFL 3. The 33-year-old Russian is well aware of the
challenges his upcoming opponent, a UFC veteran, will present.

“For me it’s not a big deal that somebody fought in UFC or any
other big organization,” Goltsov said. “I’ve seen his fights, I
know his strength. He throws heavy shots. I’m going to fight
accordingly. I’m going to put my will and fight my game.”

While Goltsov has been successful during his PFL tenure — he owns
an 8-2 mark in the league — he has also dealt with numerous bout
cancellations during his stint, including a couple during the first
leg of the regular season. That has led to him changing his focus
during training camps.

“In my experience, it [has] happened to me many times with changes
and last minute opponents,” he said. “I’m not trying to prepare for
an individual person with individual skills. I look at the bigger,
brighter picture … I’m working all my aspects and preparing
accordingly for everything.”

So far, Golstov has come up short in his quest to win a PFL
heavyweight championship. The former Absolute Championship Berkut
title holder figures to be one of the favorites going forward, and
while the $1 million prize is appealing, the accomplishment of
actually winning the crown would mean more to “The Russian
Bogatyr.”

“For me personally, becoming a world champion in PFL means a lot
more than the money,” he said. “Money, today you have it, tomorrow
you spend it. But the legacy is going to stay with my last name, is
going to stay with my kids …”

If Golstov does emerge as the heavyweight champion, he plans to
keep the same approach that got him to this point.

“Of course, winning $1 million would be a huge accomplishment,” he
said. “I’ve seen some fighters previously winning the money and
spend the money. For me nothing is gonna change. I plan on staying
the same, working hard, fighting. One day all of us have to retire.
When that day happens, I want to retire on top of the horse, not
underneath.”