A protegee of the legendary Fedor Emelianenko, Oleg Popov is a master of army hand-to-hand combat. Popov has finishes in 12 of his 19 victories, and he has proven to be a dominant force on the ground. Popov’s 17-fight win streak came to an end, however, with his loss to Denis Goltsov in the 2024 PFL World Championship.

 

Karl Williams is known for a strong wrestling game and ground control, thanks to his experience as an amateur wrestler. Williams will be competing in his first PFL bout since his Challenger Series appearance in 2022. He last fought in August, dropping a decision to Jhonata Diniz.

 

Which of these two heavyweight grappling specialists will seal their place in the Semifinals?

 

 

Round 1

 

Low kick from Williams. A low kick from Popov. Left hand from Popov. Another low kick from Popov. Low kick from Williams. One-two from Popov. Low kick and a left hand from Williams. Left hand from Popov, who then level changes and brings Williams to the fence. Williams with an elbow. Williams trying to keep his balance. Popov tries for a big toss, but Williams stays on his feet, defending. A couple of more elbows from Williams. Popov switches up the kind of takedowns he’s going for continuously. Popov takes the left leg out from under Williams.

 

Popov drives himself to the back. Williams scrambles, getting back to his feet, though Popov still has a strong hold of him against the fence. Williams is looking to use a kimura lock to create a scramble. Popov continues to press. Popov manages to elevate and score a takedown with 80 seconds left in the round. Williams immediately scrambles to his knees and gets back against the fence. Popov, however, still clinches his backside. Popov tries to pull, but Williams keeps balance as they move to another side of the SmartCage. Popov trips Williams, scoring one more takedown before the bell.

 

 

Round 2

 

Low kick from Popov and a left hand from Williams. Low kick from Popov. Low kick from Williams. Another low kick from Popov. Low kick from Popov. Left jab from Popov, and he makes Williams miss. Williams with a jab. Left hook by Williams catches Popov coming in. Calf kick from Williams. Popov clinches Williams up against the fence. Williams gets out of the clinch and throws a left hand. Left hand from Williams. Left hand from Popov, who then presses Williams, but Williams shoves him off.

 

Low kick from Popov. Right hand over the top from Popov. Popov goes for another takedown, and we’re back to the fence. Williams lands a couple of elbows. Williams lands more elbows, but Popov’s pressure is unrelenting. Popov lets go of the single-leg attempt, and we’ve got a clinch battle. Popov goes for a trip, but Williams blocks it. Williams lands to the body with punches. Williams lands a couple of knees to the body. Williams with a pair of left hands. Right hands from Williams.

 

 

Round 3

 

Low kick from Popov. Popov with a right hand, but Williams responds. Williams stays outside. Williams misses a big hook. Both men land a jab. Jab by Williams. Popov grabs a hold of the leg, and he scores a takedown. Williams gets up, but Popov gets a solid hold of his back. Williams turns himself around, and he’s trying to rain down strikes. Popov, meanwhile, is looking for another takedown. Popov brings Williams back to the ground. Williams gets up to his feet quickly, though Popov still has a hold of him. Elbows and punches coming down from Williams.

 

Popov continues to pursue the takedown, while Williams continues to land with punches. More left hands coming down from Williams. The referee stops the action, bringing the two back to the center. Williams lands a body kick. Low kick from Popov. Low kick from Williams, and Popov went for a counter left hook. Left hand from Popov. Williams connects. Low kick from Popov. Another clinch battle, and Popov forces Williams back into the fence. Williams lands a strong knee with about 30 seconds left. Popov lands a left hook as he tries to get underhooks in. Williams pressing Popov into the fence now. Williams lands a flying knee right before the bell! But Popov survives the blow.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Oleg Popov def. Karl Williams via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29), advancing to the Semifinals in the Heavyweight Bracket, where he will face Rodrigo Nascimento.