Alexander Romanov Puts Painful Foul in Rearview Mirror, Fixes Sights on PFL Title

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Alexander Romanov wants to close out his first year with the Professional Fighters League by getting his hand raised as a champion, but his road to the PFL 2025 World Tournament 10 heavyweight final this Thursday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, was a painful one.

After a quick first-round submission of Tim Johnson in his promotional debut, he faced Valentin Moldavsky in the semifinals. There, chaos erupted. In the second round of his showdown with Moldavsky, Romanov was on the wrong end of a brutal low blow that was so damaging that the fight had to be stopped. The official result was a no contest, but Romanov advanced in the tournament. It was an experience he would like to forget.

Fighters only get one shot! Watch the PFL World Tournament Finals LIVE Thursday, Aug. 21 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+

“When we wrestled in the clinch, my cup slid to the side and then his knee came up and hit me. It was one of the worst feelings I’ve felt in my life,” Romanov told Sherdog.com. “I couldn’t straighten my right leg because of the pain. I started thinking, ‘What’s going to happen next, if I can’t get off the canvas?’ It was worrisome that because of someone’s mistake, I could’ve possibly missed a life-changing opportunity to be in the finals.”

Romanov was never concerned about his long-term well-being.

“It was all about if I would advance,” he said. “For me, it was never about the health perspective. I know I can win this bracket, but because of someone’s mistake, it was tough to know how to feel until I got back healthy.”

In deciding to depart the Ultimate Fighting Championship for the PFL, Romanov acknowledged that he had other suitors besides the PFL. However, the world tournament was an opportunity that was too good to pass up.

“When I fought out my contract with the UFC, I had a couple of opportunities on the table from other organizations, but I liked the PFL’s format,” Romanov said. “The tournament format is why I decided to continue my career in this organization. I have friends who fight here in the PFL, and I felt the atmosphere around the company and I really liked how they operate. They’re offering fighters real life-changing opportunities.”

Romanov wants to capture a tournament title to cap off a successful first campaign with the PFL. He faces Oleg Popov in a tournament final between two accomplished heavyweights on the hunt for their first major MMA championship.

“I respect this guy as a person, but when the SmartCage closes, it’s two grown men who want to be a champion,” Romanov said. “It’s nothing personal, just business. I think [in] the first round it’ll be heavy wrestling, but we’ll see who has the better wrestling. I feel like I can finish him in the early stages of this fight.”