Heavyweights
Denis Goltsov (30-7, 8-2 PFL | ODDS: -800) vs. Yorgan De Castro (9-4, 0-1 PFL | ODDS: -500): Goltsov and De Castro were supposed to meet at PFL 1 before “The Russian Bogatyr” withdrew from the contest. As a result, De Castro dropped a forgettable decision to Danilo Marques, and Goltsov pounded out onetime welterweight competitor Cezar Ferreira two weeks later. While Marques was potentially a more winnable bout for De Castro, some of his old flaws surfaced, namely long stretches of inactivity and an inability to cut off the cage. “The Mad Titan” has powerful leg kicks and decent hand speed, but he faces an uphill climb against Goltsov, a former combat sambo champion and Absolute Championship Berkut titleholder. The 30-year-old Russian will have an eight-inch reach advantage against the squat De Castro, and he will likely work behind his jab and array of kicks to close the distance. From there, Goltsov is adept at executing trips or throws, advancing position on the canvas and methodically hunting for chokes or landing ground-and-pound. Even if a finish does not arrive, Goltsov should win a clear-cut decision.
Featherweights
Evelyn Martins (5-0, 1-0 PFL | ODDS: -135) vs. Marina Mokhnatkina (9-3, 3-1 PFL | ODDS: +105): After winning a competitive bout against Karolina Sobek, two-time PFL Challenger Series winner Martins will make her fourth appearance of 2023. Mokhnatkina, a six-time combat sambo champion who went the distance against Kayla Harrison at 155 pounds in 2022, will be her most difficult test to date. Martins has shown solid leg kicks and decent grappling thus far in her burgeoning career, but she does not have the ability to truly threaten Mokhnatkina on the feet. That means the Russian will have no concern closing the distance, and her grappling ability is enough to neutralize anything Martins can do. Because of her youth, Martins is far from reaching her final form, and it is quite possible she will make big leaps from fight to fight. Still, Mokhnatkina is durable and experienced, and she should be able to win a decision.
Heavyweights
Danilo Marques (14-4, 1-0 PFL | ODDS: -245) vs. Marcelo Nunes (9-2, 1-1 PFL | ODDS: +195): A four-time UFC veteran, Marques did just enough to outpoint Yorgan De Castro at PFL 1, but perhaps the most interesting aspect of the fight was he seemed content to chip away with kicks on the feet. The Demian Maia Jiu-Jitsu representative is usually far more comfortable attempting to drag his opponents to the mat and threaten with submissions than he is in engaging. He could have a like-minded foe in Drysdale’s Jiu-Jitsu export Nunes, who suffered a second-round TKO loss to Maurice Greene in his first PFL appearance of 2023. Nunes was doomed against Greene when he was unable to take his rangy adversary to the mat. Marques is not as dangerous on the feet, but he does have a large frame and the grappling skills to keep from being overwhelmed on the canvas. Marques wins a decision.
Featherweights
Julia Budd (16-6, 1-3 PFL | ODDS: -155) vs. Martina Jindrova (6-4, 2-2 PFL | ODDS: +125): Budd drew the most difficult matchup in the featherweight field at PFL 2, and though she lost a unanimous decision to Larissa Paceco, she displayed her durability in going the distance against the heavy-handed Brazilian. The former Bellator champion has lost three straight fights, but the powerfully built Canadian will be able to impose her will against more opponents at 145 pounds than she would have at lightweight. While Jindrova is muay thai stylist and kickboxer, she fell victim to a first-round head kick from Amber Leibrock in her last outing. The Czech Republic native moves well and has an arsenal that includes a jab, kicks to all levels and knees in the clinch. However, she has not flashed the type of power that will give Budd pause. Expect the former Bellator champion, who has the kickboxing skills to keep Jindrova honest on the feet, to embrace her grinding style with clinches and takedowns ahead of a unanimous decision triumph.
Featherweights
Olena Kolesnyk (8-5, 3-3 PFL | ODDS: -550) vs. Yoko Higashi (8-3, 0-1 PFL | ODDS: +375): While missing weight was a blemish on her performance, Kolesnyk adopted a tactical approach against Aspen Ladd against PFL 2, using leg kicks, counters and movement to keep the UFC veteran at bay for two rounds in a majority decision win. Kolesnyk encountered much more danger in Round 3, where Ladd took her back and threatened with chokes, but the Ukrainian’s submission defense held up under duress. Higashi, meanwhile, looked overwhelmed in her PFL debut, as she succumbed to punches from the mounted crucifix position in the second round of her clash with Marina Mokhnatkina. While Kolesnyk has proven to be a willing brawler at times, more frequently she has shown the ability to be more strategic in her fights—an encouraging sign. Kolesnyk is not the grappler that Mokhnatina is, but she is far more experienced against sturdy competition than Higashi. Kolesnyk by decision or TKO is the pick.
Heavyweights
Jordan Heiderman (6-0, 0-0 PFL | ODDS: -300) vs. Patrick Brady (5-0, 0-0 PFL | ODDS: +220): Brady, a 39-year-old New Jersey native anchored at Martinez BJJ, twice had his PFL debut fall through during the first leg of the regular season. He will get his chance to make an impression against Heiderman, who has earned all but one of his professional triumphs under the Legacy Fighting Alliance banner. Heiderman is younger and appears to be the more promising talent, though fortunes can change swiftly in a heavyweight fight. Still, expect Heiderman to get it done inside the distance.
Heavyweights
Denzel Freeman (4-0, 0-0 PFL | ODDS: -225) vs. Isaiah Pinson (2-0, 0-0 PFL | ODDS: +180): Pinson, a former All-American lineman at the Citadel, showed some promise on the PFL Challenger Series, as he navigated the reach advantage of 6-foot-9 foe Victor Resende to attack the head and body effectively ahead of a unanimous decision triumph. Freeman, meanwhile, needed less time during his Challenger Series appearance, walloping Raiden Kovacs with a perfectly timed head kick before putting his opponent away with follow-up punches on the canvas. Pinson may need a repeat performance against an adversary with a seven-inch reach advantage, but he has already proven up to that task. This is matchup of intriguing prospects to open the show, though three of Freeman’s previous foes have yet to earn a professional victory. Pinson by decision is the pick.