Jordan Heiderman Embraces Dark Horse Role Ahead of PFL Semifinal Bout

Jordan Heiderman might be most unknown commodity among the PFL heavyweight semifinalists.

The former college football player fought just once during the PFL regular season, earning a spot in the playoffs thanks to a first-round finish of Patrick Brady on June 16. That has earned him a showdown with Denis Goltsov — perhaps the favorite in the field — on Friday at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. The evening’s main card airs on ESPN and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT following prelims on ESPN+ 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

“I love being the new guy, the darkhorse,” Heiderman said during a PFL media day. “It’s a perfect fight. I love being the no-name. I’m gonna come in and turn some heads with my performance.”

Some might remember Heiderman from “The Ultimate Fighter 30,” where he fell to Zac Pauga in the semifinals of the reality show. The 31-year-old says he’s “evolved tremendously” since then.

“I definitely think I’m light years better than what I was on the show,” Heiderman said.

In addition to fights on “TUF” and with Legacy Fighting Alliance, Heiderman was a collegiate defensive lineman who played football in junior college and at Indiana University.

“Throughout my career in athletics, I’ve been on big stages. State tournaments, big football fields…so just being under the spotlight, it doesn’t scare me,” Heiderman said. “It doesn’t get me nervous at all.”

With just seven professional bouts to his credit, Heiderman’s time on the PFL postseason stage might have come more quickly than expected to some, but he’s ready for the challenge.

“I think everything works out as it’s supposed to,” he said. “I’m supposed to be here. The PFL is the perfect fit for me. I’m not scared of the challenge ahead. These are tough competitors. That gets me more excited about being a part of the PFL and being in the playoffs. You’ve just got to take risks. You’ve got to accept big fights, big opportunities and you’ve got to go out and perform. That’s just part of the game. That’s what I love about it.”

Part of that is squaring off against an opponent in Goltsov who has 38 professional bouts to his credit. Heiderman is confident that he has the necessary tools to pull off the upset.

“With Denis’ style of fighting, he’s pretty diverse,” Heiderman said. “He’s got a ton of submissions. Ton of knockouts, a ton of fights in general. Where I think I have the advantage is, my athleticism and my explosiveness. I’m gonna get in his face and make it ugly and make it uncomfortable for him. When things get uncomfortable, people make mistakes and that’s where I’m going to capitalize.”