Popov vs Vassell

Who won Popov vs Vassell?

Oleg Popov beat Linton Vassell by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest during the main card of PFL 7, on Friday 2nd August 2024 at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville.

The scorecards were announced in favor of the winner Oleg Popov.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Heavyweight division, which meant the weight limit was 265 pounds (18.9 stone or 120.2 KG).

Popov vs Vassell stats

Oleg Popov stepped into the octagon with a record of 18 wins, 1 loss and 0 draws, 9 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 3 by submission.

Linton Vassell made his way to the cage with a record of 24 wins, 9 losses and 0 draws, 10 of those wins coming by knock out and 8 by submission.

This was Oleg Popov's 4th fight in the PFL, having made his debut for the promotion in 2024. Linton Vassell marked his 3rd fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2024.

Oleg Popov's PFL record stood at 3-1-0, while Linton Vassell's came in at 1-2-0.

The stats suggested Popov had a slight advantage in power over Vassell, with a 50% knock out percentage over Vassell's 42%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Vassell had an advantage over Popov, with a 33% submission rate over Popov's 17%.

Oleg Popov was the younger man by 8 years, at 33 years old.

Vassell had a height advantage of 3 inches over Popov.

Popov was the less experienced professional fighter, having had 14 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2015, 7 years and 1 month later than Vassell, whose first professional fight was in 2008. He had fought 28 less professional rounds, 46 to Vassell's 74.

Popov vs Vassell form

Vassell had beaten 4 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 2 of them, going the distance twice.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had won against Valentin Moldavsky at PFL 4: 2024 Regular Season on 13th June 2024 by split decision in their 3 round contest at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, United States.

Previous to that, he had lost to Denis Goltsov at PFL 1: 2024 Regular Season on 4th April 2024 by knockout in the 3rd round at Boeing Center, San Antonio.

Going into that contest, he had beaten Valentin Moldavsky at Bellator 292 on 10th March 2023 by knockout in the 1st round at SAP Center, San Jose.

Before that, he had defeated Timothy Johnson at Bellator 277 on 15th April 2022 by knockout in the 1st round at SAP Center, San Jose.

He was victorious against Tyrell Fortune at Bellator 271 on 12th November 2021 by split decision in their 3 round contest at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood.

Activity check

Popov's last 3 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 1 month and 4 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 8 months and 11 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 8 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.7 rounds on average.

Vassell's last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 4 months and 17 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 8 months and 3 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 11 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.2 rounds on average.

What time did Popov vs Vassell start?

The fighters were expected to walk out at around 1:40 AM UTC , which was 9:40 PM EST or 6:40 PM PST on the West Coast of America, or 2:40 AM BST in the UK.

What were the odds on Popov vs Vassell?

Oleg Popov was a 1/3 (-300) favourite going into the contest, while Linton Vassell made his way into the ring at 21/10 (+210) with oddsmakers.