#Valentin Moldavsky

[theanticool]

Linton Vassell stops Valentin Moldavsky in the 1st round - Bellator 292

Abolish 205.

[fedoremelianenkodevoted]

Bader vs Moldavsky Title Unification Bout Set for January 29 in Phoenix

By Gabriel Gonzalez-December 13, 2021

Bellator will be kicking off 2022 with a heavyweight title unification bout between Ryan Bader and Valentin Moldavsky on January 29 in Phoenix.

Bellator will be kicking off 2022 with a title unification bout as heavyweight champion Ryan Bader returns to the division to face interim champion Valentin Moldavsky on January 29. The fight is scheduled to take place at the  Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

After spending roughly a year and a half back at light heavyweight, Ryan Bader (28-7) will be returning to heavyweight to attempt to defend his title for the second time.  “Darth” won the heavyweight strap in 2019 after he moved up to participate in Bellator’s inaugural Grand Prix.  He notably took virtually no damage throughout the tournament, absorbing few strikes between first round finishes of Fedor Emelianenko, Muhammad Lawal, and a lopsided decision over Matt Mitrione.  Bader enters the bout on a 1-2 skid at 205 pounds where he lost his title to Vadim Nemkov and then split fights with Corey Anderson and Lyoto Machida in the light heavyweight Grand Prix.

Valentin Moldavsky (11-1) is looking to build on his assertive victory over Tim Johnson which capped off the six fight win-streak that brought him to the interim title in Bader’s absence from the division. ��A part of MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko’s team in Russia, Moldavsky is looking to continue the momentum of his aforementioned mentor and reigning light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov who are also coming off impressive victories in 2021.  Besides the victory over Johnson in June, Moldavsky also has notable wins over veterans Roy Nelson, Javy Ayala, and Linton Vassell.

The event in Phoenix will be Bellator’s second event in the city since the global pandemic forced them to remain primarily in Uncasville, Connecticut since 2020.  Apart from the heavyweight title fight, the card will also feature former bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell taking on Enrique Barzola in the co-headliner.

[mma-gifs]

RIZIN FF 1: Valentin Moldavsky vs. Yuta Uchida

[basedmegaton]

RIZIN World Grand Prix 2015: Saraba Fiesta - Valentin Moldavsky vs Yuta Uchida in the RIZIN 100kg Grand Prix alternate bout

[theanticool]

Linton Vassell stops Valentin Moldavsky in the 1st round!

Left hand from Vassell throws Moldavsky off balance enough that the right hook puts him down. From there Vassell was able to get on top and throw elbows til the fight was called off.

You know how I know Vassell is a former 205er and not a natural heavyweight? When he got taken down? He got to his side in half guard and used a goddamn underhook to create space to get back up. AND IT WORKED! Imagine that. Basic understanding of grappling off your back. A lost art at heavyweight. 

Time to get Vassell a title shot. Also, abolish 205 and just make them all fight heavyweights cause they keep doing well up there.

[theanticool]

A Bellator heavyweight fight ended in a no contest because of a foul, surprising no one.

[theanticool]

Bader beating Fedor only to lose his two Bellator titles to two of Fedor’s fighters 3x in a row would be funny as hell

[theanticool]

Fedor throwing up bricks while Valentin Moldavsky runs laps ahead of his Bellator heavyweight title fight on Saturday

[theanticool]

Valentin Moldavsky vs. Linton Vassell - Bellator 218

The UFC had their heavyweight title unification last weekend and now it’s Bellator’s turn.

With heavyweight champion Ryan Bader (28-7) sidelined by his run in the Bellator LHW grand prix, Bellator decided it was going to get the heavyweight division moving without him. As a result, Valentin Moldavsky (11-1) was crowned the interim heavyweight champion. The wrestle-heavy Fedor trained fighter beat Tim Johnson for the distinction. Now he’s set to face off with the returning Ryan Bader in the main event of Bellator 273 this Saturday (Jan. 29).

[fedoremelianenkodevoted]

Bellator 261: Valentin Moldavsky beats Tim Johnson to win interim heavyweight title

By Simon Head

MMA writer

The report below contains details of what happened at Bellator 261. You can watch the entire event again on BBC iPlayer (UK only) here.

Russia's Valentin Moldavsky captured the interim Bellator heavyweight title on Friday at Bellator 261 with victory over number one contender Tim Johnson in Connecticut.

Moldavsky, 29, outworked Johnson over the full five-round championship distance at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville to earn scores of 50-45, 49-46, 49-46 and become the first interim champion in Bellator history.

The Russian set up a possible title unification battle with reigning heavyweight champion Ryan Bader when he returns to the division following the light heavyweight Grand Prix.

American Johnson, 36, produced a spirited performance, but was unable to match Moldavsky's output and conditioning.

Moldavsky admitted he was surprised by Johnson's staying power through the fight.

"I'm very tired. I'm very happy I won," he said, via a translator.

"I thought it was going to be a little easier fight, but it is what it is."

Moldavsky declined the opportunity to send a message to Bader, but the reigning heavyweight champion did offer his take on the new interim champion.

"Great fight! Moldavsky looked good, fast and his cardio was on point," Bader posted on Twitter.

"Tim brought it but would have liked to see him threaten some takedowns. Looking forward to coming back to heavyweight. Let's get it!"

The victory added further stature to the Russian team set up by former Pride Fighting Championship heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko. Moldavsky joins team-mate and Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov as a belt holder.

The team, based in the Russian city of Stary Oskol, also boasts Bellator middleweight contender Anatoly Tokov, as well as Emelianenko himself, with "The Last Emperor" set for action later this year.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p09m992m

Watch: Valentin Moldavsky beat Tim Johnson

[theanticool]

Valentin Moldavsky takes UD over Tim Johnson, becoming Bellator interim HW Champion.

THAT WAS A FIGHT. I guess. woof.

[theanticool]

Valentin Moldavsky vs. Javy Ayala - Bellator 239

Bellator’s heavyweight division is as shallow and dull as they come. It is made even more so by the fact that the champion is currently tied up in their Bellator LHW grand prix. While Bader deals with that, we’re getting an interim title fight.

Russian Valentin Moldavsky (10-1) has won five straight since joining Bellator. Moldavsky will look to turn that momentum into interim gold. Moldavsky will face off with Tim Johnson (15-6) in the main event of Bellator 261 this Friday (June 25).

[tscnews]

Bellator 244 Post-Fight: Valentin Moldavsky on Beating Roy Nelson

About This Bellator 244 Post-Fight Press Conference: Rising Bellator MMA heavyweight fighter Valentin Moldavsky discusses his big unanimous decision win over UFC veteran "Big Country" Roy Nelson on the Bellator 244 Paramount Network card, his world title aspirations, potentially fighting Ryan Bader or Cheick Kongo next, learning under the legendary Fedor Emelianenko, and his mixed martial arts journey up to this point. Media coverage courtesy of Bellator MMA and BZA PR.

[theanticool]

Valentin Moldavsky takes UD over Javy Ayala

Moldavsky with the Russian Sambo style of smothering. Got on top of Ayala and pounded on him while keeping dominant position. Not pretty but effective. Solid win for Moldavsky, a heavyweight prospect with a 4-0 record in Bellator.