Hollywood, FL – Russian heavyweight Oleg Popov claimed the victory in the PFL World Tournament on Friday and defeated UFC veterinarian Alexander Romanov to do this.
Now he has set his sights on another former UFC star: Francis Ngannou.
Ngannou has only fought once since drawing at the PFL, in MMA anyway. Two attacks in boxing, with a third possibly later this year, have monopolized many of his time. With the PFL World Tournament ending, many expect that Popov could be confronted against Ngannou next time.
“The Predator” has triggered that itself, but Popov is certainly open to it. Speaking in Russian with a translator, he showed interest in both Ngannou and Denis Goltsov, to whom he has an earlier loss (The following translations are a mix of machine translation and the translator of Popov).
“He won’t get off the floor. He can’t deny [my] Struggling, “Popov explained when he was asked about the potential match with Ngannou, still considered MMA’s linear heavyweight champion.” His strength, his clinch will never help him. “
“I’m faster, I’m better at fighting. Better struggling. He just has heavy shots, that’s it.”
Of course there is the loss for Goltsov that Oleg Popov would like to avenge. “Ngannou is promising,” he admitted. “I want Goltsov, but if PFL suggests me Ngannou, let’s do it.”
Goltsov, it should be noticed, is currently coming from a loss. Make a match-up with the PFL World Tournament Champ something of a question mark. Many now see Popov as earning the shot on Ngannou, since he has only been lost once since 2018, and only twice in a pro-career that leaves him at 22-2.
“I am completely for it. I am completely in favor of a big name,” Popov said.
Earlier he spoke about the fight with Romanov who goes the distance. Not exactly according to plan.
“I now understand that I can fight five rounds without any worries, but the plan was not five rounds at all. I didn’t think he would get tired faster. He surprised me.”
View the full PFL Hollywood press conference with Oleg Popov above.
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