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Ali Isaev
Russia
Takes PFL gold over UFC vet
Isaev defeated Jared Rosholt via TKO (punches) at 4:09 of Round 4 at the 2019 PFL Season Championships on Dec. 31, winning the heavyweight tournament and taking home $1 million.
ANALYSIS
Isaev did what he was expected to do against a former UFC heavyweight, cashing in as a (-350) betting favorite to take home the top prize and improve to 9-0. The former Russian Olympian put his wrestling on display by consistently scoring takedowns, even lifting Rosholt up high for a huge slam in Round 2. Isaev also showed a respectable standup game, attempting a variety of kicks in between takedown attempts. Isaev ultimately wore him down at the end of the fourth round, as another takedown and ensuing ground-and-pound ultimately became too much for Rosholt to withstand. Isaev put on quite the show to become a first-time champion, but there's a limited ceiling here at the age of 36, especially if PFL adds more skilled heavyweights to the roster.
Isaev did what he was expected to do against a former UFC heavyweight, cashing in as a (-350) betting favorite to take home the top prize and improve to 9-0. The former Russian Olympian put his wrestling on display by consistently scoring takedowns, even lifting Rosholt up high for a huge slam in Round 2. Isaev also showed a respectable standup game, attempting a variety of kicks in between takedown attempts. Isaev ultimately wore him down at the end of the fourth round, as another takedown and ensuing ground-and-pound ultimately became too much for Rosholt to withstand. Isaev put on quite the show to become a first-time champion, but there's a limited ceiling here at the age of 36, especially if PFL adds more skilled heavyweights to the roster.