Valentin Igorevich Moldavsky (russian: Валенти́н И́горевич Молда́вский; born 6 February 1992) is a Russian
mixed martial artist
Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorp ...
and
combat sambo
, aka = Sombo (in English-speaking countries)
, focus = Hybrid
, country = Soviet Union
, pioneers = Viktor Spiridonov, Vasili Oshchepkov, Anatoly Kharlampiev
, famous_pract = List of Practitioners
, olympi ...
practitioner. He is currently signed to
Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) is an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 and based in Santa Monica, California, owned and operated as a subsidiary of television and media cong ...
, where he is a former interim
Bellator Heavyweight Champion
Bellator MMA (formerly known as "Bellator Fighting Championships") is an American mixed martial arts promotion, and the following is a history of its champions in each weight class.
At the time of its inception in 2008, CEO Bjorn Rebney founded ...
. He is also a two-time world and one-time European Sambo Champion in the +100 kg division. As of March 14, 2023, he is #2 in the
Bellator Heavyweight Rankings.
Biography
Moldavsky was born 6 February 1992 in the village of Novopskov in the Luhansk Oblast. He was enrolled at the
Luhansk State University of Internal Affairs, working as platoon leader.
Sambo
In 2018, Moldavsky won the European Sambo Championships in
Athens
Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital and largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh largest city in the European Union. Athens dominates ...
, Greece and the
World Sambo Championships
The World Sambo Championships are the main championships in Sambo and Combat Sambo, organized by the Fédération Internationale de Sambo (FIAS).
History
The first World Sambo Cup took place in 1977 in Oviedo, Spain. Two years later, the first Y ...
in
Bucharest
Bucharest ( , ; ro, București ) is the capital and largest city of Romania, as well as its cultural, industrial, and financial centre. It is located in the southeast of the country, on the banks of the Dâmbovița River, less than north of ...
, Romania in the +100 kg weight category.
He also won the 2020 Russian national Championship, which allowed him to qualify for the
2020 World Sambo Championships in Serbia. He claimed the World Championship in the +100 kg category.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
After going undefeated in amateur bouts, Moldavsky had his first professional fight was with Armenian Karen Karapetyan in
Omsk
Omsk (; rus, Омск, p=omsk) is the administrative center and largest city of Omsk Oblast, Russia. It is situated in southwestern Siberia, and has a population of over 1.1 million. Omsk is the third largest city in Siberia after Novosibirsk ...
on 21 February 2015, beating him with an
armlock
An armlock in grappling is a single or double joint lock that Anatomical terms of motion#General motion, hyperextends, hyperflexes or hyperrotates the elbow, elbow joint or glenohumeral joint, shoulder joint. An armlock that hyper-extends the ...
. Soon after, Moldavsky has been coached by
Fedor Emelianenko
Fedor Vladimirovich Emelianenko ( rus, Фёдор Влади́мирович Емелья́ненко, r=Fyodor Vladimirovich Yemelyanenko, p=ˈfʲɵdər vlɐˈdʲimʲɪrəvʲɪtɕ jɪmʲɪˈlʲjænʲɪnkə, IPA; born ...
and joined his Team Fedor.
Rizin Fighting Federation
In 2016, Moldavsky entered the Rizin Openweight Grand-Prix. In the first round in September 2016, he defeated
Karl Albrektsson
Karl Albrektsson ( sv , Karl Albrektsson, (born September 27, 1993), is a Swedish mixed martial arts fighter, competing in the Light Heavyweight division of Bellator MMA. He has been performing at a professional level since 2012, and he is als ...
by unanimous decision to advance. In the quarter-finals on 29 December 2016, he defeated Szymon Bajor by unanimous decision. Two days later, he suffered his first loss to Iranian
Amir Aliakbari
Amir Aliakbari ( fa, امير علىاكبرى, born 11 December 1987) is an Iranian mixed martial artist signed to ONE Championship, where he competes in the Heavyweight division. He has also competed for Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB) and ...
by decision.
Bellator MMA
Moldavsky debuted for
Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) is an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 and based in Santa Monica, California, owned and operated as a subsidiary of television and media cong ...
at
Bellator 181 on 14 July 2017, beating Carl Seumanutafa by unanimous decision.
Moldavsky returned to the promotion on 13 July 2018, knocking out Ernest James in the first round at
Bellator 202.
Moldavsky faced
Linton Vassell
Linton Vassell (born 3 June 1983) is an English mixed martial artist, who competes in the Heavyweight division of Bellator. A professional since 2008, he has also competed for UCMMA and Cage Warriors. He is the former UCMMA Light Heavyweight ...
on March 22, 2019 at
Bellator 218, winning the bout by unanimous decision.
Moldavsky faced
Javy Ayala
Javier "Javy" Ayala (born August 22, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2011, he has also competed for Tachi Palace Fights.
Background
Born and raise ...
at
Bellator 239 on February 21, 2020. Using takedowns and dominating Ayala on the ground, Moldavsky won the fight by unanimous decision.
In his highest profile fight to date, Moldavsky faced
Roy Nelson at
Bellator 244 on August 21, 2020. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
With heavyweight champion
Ryan Bader
Arizona State Sun Devils
Ryan DuWayne Bader (born June 7, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist currently signed to Bellator MMA where he is the current Bellator Heavyweight Champion, the former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion, a ...
moving on in the
Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament, Moldavsky faced
Timothy Johnson for the
Bellator Interim Heavyweight World Championship at
Bellator 261
Bellator 261: Johnson vs. Moldavsky was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on June 25, 2021, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Background
With current heavyweight champion Ryan Bader moving on i ...
on June 25, 2021. He won the bout and the title by unanimous decision.
Moldavsky faced
Bellator Heavyweight World Champion Ryan Bader
Arizona State Sun Devils
Ryan DuWayne Bader (born June 7, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist currently signed to Bellator MMA where he is the current Bellator Heavyweight Champion, the former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion, a ...
to unify the Heavyweight titles on January 29, 2022 at
Bellator 273
Bellator 273: Bader vs. Moldavsky was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA, it took place on January 29, 2022 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Background
A winner in eight of his last 11 bouts, Bader will be making ...
. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. 7 out of 11 media scores gave it to Moldavsky.
Moldavsky faced Steve Mowry at
Bellator 284
''Bellator 284: Gracie vs. Yamauchi'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on August 12, 2022, at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States.
Background
The main event will feature a battl ...
on August 12, 2022. Less than a minute into the bout, Moldavsky accidentally eye poked Mowry, rendering him unable to continue, resulting in a no contest.
Moldavsky rematched
Linton Vassell
Linton Vassell (born 3 June 1983) is an English mixed martial artist, who competes in the Heavyweight division of Bellator. A professional since 2008, he has also competed for UCMMA and Cage Warriors. He is the former UCMMA Light Heavyweight ...
on March 10, 2023 at
Bellator 292
''Bellator 292: Nurmagomedov vs. Henderson'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on March 10, 2023, at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, United States.
Background
To kick off the $1 million Bellator L ...
. He lost the bout in the first round, getting dropped on the feet and knocked out by elbows from mount.
Championships and accomplishments
*
Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) is an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 and based in Santa Monica, California, owned and operated as a subsidiary of television and media cong ...
**
Interim
An interim is a period of temporary pause or change in a sequence of events, or a temporary state, and is often applied to transitional political entities.
Interim may also refer to:
Temporary organizational arrangements (general concept)
*Provis ...
Bellator Heavyweight World Championship
Bellator MMA (formerly known as "Bellator Fighting Championships") is an American mixed martial arts promotion, and the following is a history of its champions in each weight class.
At the time of its inception in 2008, CEO Bjorn Rebney founded B ...
(One time)
*
Rizin Fighting Federation
Rizin Fighting Federation (Rizin FF or Rizin) is a Japanese mixed martial arts organization created in 2015 by the former Pride Fighting Championships and Dream Stage Entertainment president Nobuyuki Sakakibara.
Rizin was founded to be the spir ...
**
2016 Rizin Openweight Grand Prix Semifinalist
Mixed martial arts record
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 11–3 (1)
,
Linton Vassell
Linton Vassell (born 3 June 1983) is an English mixed martial artist, who competes in the Heavyweight division of Bellator. A professional since 2008, he has also competed for UCMMA and Cage Warriors. He is the former UCMMA Light Heavyweight ...
, KO (punches and elbows)
,
Bellator 292
''Bellator 292: Nurmagomedov vs. Henderson'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on March 10, 2023, at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, United States.
Background
To kick off the $1 million Bellator L ...
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:03
,
San Jose, California
San Jose, officially San José (; ; ), is a major city in the U.S. state of California that is the cultural, financial, and political center of Silicon Valley and largest city in Northern California by both population and area. With a 2020 popul ...
, United States
,
, -
, NC
, align=center,
, Steve Mowry
, No Contest (accidental eye poke)
,
Bellator 284
''Bellator 284: Gracie vs. Yamauchi'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on August 12, 2022, at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States.
Background
The main event will feature a battl ...
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:54
,
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls () is the most populous city in the U.S. state of South Dakota and the 130th-most populous city in the United States. It is the county seat of Minnehaha County and also extends into Lincoln County to the south, which continues up ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 11–2
,
Ryan Bader
Arizona State Sun Devils
Ryan DuWayne Bader (born June 7, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist currently signed to Bellator MMA where he is the current Bellator Heavyweight Champion, the former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion, a ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Bellator 273
Bellator 273: Bader vs. Moldavsky was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA, it took place on January 29, 2022 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Background
A winner in eight of his last 11 bouts, Bader will be making ...
,
, align=center, 5
, align=center, 5:00
,
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix ( ; nv, Hoozdo; es, Fénix or , yuf-x-wal, Banyà:nyuwá) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona, with 1 ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 11–1
,
Timothy Johnson
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Bellator 261
Bellator 261: Johnson vs. Moldavsky was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on June 25, 2021, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Background
With current heavyweight champion Ryan Bader moving on i ...
,
, align=center, 5
, align=center, 5:00
,
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is an area in the New England town, town of Montville, Connecticut, Montville, Connecticut, United States. It is a Administrative divisions of Connecticut#Village, neighborhood, section of town, village in southeastern Montville, at the ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 10–1
,
Roy Nelson
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Bellator 244
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is an area in the New England town, town of Montville, Connecticut, Montville, Connecticut, United States. It is a Administrative divisions of Connecticut#Village, neighborhood, section of town, village in southeastern Montville, at the ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 9–1
,
Javy Ayala
Javier "Javy" Ayala (born August 22, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2011, he has also competed for Tachi Palace Fights.
Background
Born and raise ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Bellator 239
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Thackerville, Oklahoma
Thackerville is a town in Love County, Oklahoma. It is located in South Central Oklahoma. The population was 445 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Ardmore, Oklahoma Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
Thackerville is located at (33. ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 8–1
,
Linton Vassell
Linton Vassell (born 3 June 1983) is an English mixed martial artist, who competes in the Heavyweight division of Bellator. A professional since 2008, he has also competed for UCMMA and Cage Warriors. He is the former UCMMA Light Heavyweight ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Bellator 218
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Thackerville, Oklahoma
Thackerville is a town in Love County, Oklahoma. It is located in South Central Oklahoma. The population was 445 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Ardmore, Oklahoma Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
Thackerville is located at (33. ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 7–1
, Ernest James
, TKO (punches)
,
Bellator 202
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 4:02
,
Thackerville, Oklahoma
Thackerville is a town in Love County, Oklahoma. It is located in South Central Oklahoma. The population was 445 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Ardmore, Oklahoma Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
Thackerville is located at (33. ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 6–1
,
Carl Seumanutafa
Carl Taulauniu Seumanutafa (born June 15, 1983) is a Samoan professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division. A professional since 2007, he has competed for Bellator, Strikeforce, ShoXC, EliteXC, Tachi Palace Fights, ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Bellator 181
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Thackerville, Oklahoma
Thackerville is a town in Love County, Oklahoma. It is located in South Central Oklahoma. The population was 445 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Ardmore, Oklahoma Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
Thackerville is located at (33. ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 5–1
,
Amir Aliakbari
Amir Aliakbari ( fa, امير علىاكبرى, born 11 December 1987) is an Iranian mixed martial artist signed to ONE Championship, where he competes in the Heavyweight division. He has also competed for Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB) and ...
, Decision (split)
,
Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: Final Round
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 5:00
,
Saitama,
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 5–0
, Szymon Bajor
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 2nd Round
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 5:00
,
Saitama,
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 4–0
,
Karl Albrektsson
Karl Albrektsson ( sv , Karl Albrektsson, (born September 27, 1993), is a Swedish mixed martial arts fighter, competing in the Light Heavyweight division of Bellator MMA. He has been performing at a professional level since 2012, and he is als ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 1st Round
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 5:00
,
Saitama,
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 3–0
, Daniel Doerrer
, Submission (guillotine choke)
,
Fight Nights Global 50: Fedor vs. Maldonado
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:47
,
St. Petersburg
Saint Petersburg ( rus, links=no, Санкт-Петербург, a=Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg, r=Sankt-Peterburg, p=ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk), formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), i ...
, Russia
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 2–0
, Yuta Uchida
, Submission (rear-naked choke)
,
Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 1 - Saraba
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:20
,
Saitama,
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 1–0
, Karen Karapetyan
, Submission (armbar)
, Professional Combat Sambo: Eurasian Economic Union
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:26
,
Omsk
Omsk (; rus, Омск, p=omsk) is the administrative center and largest city of Omsk Oblast, Russia. It is situated in southwestern Siberia, and has a population of over 1.1 million. Omsk is the third largest city in Siberia after Novosibirsk ...
, Russia
,
See also
*
List of current Bellator fighters
List of current Bellator MMA fighters records current Bellator MMA (Bellator) fighters' information, country origins, recent fighter signings and departures, fight schedules and results and the champion of each division. Unlike the UFC, Bellator do ...
*
List of male mixed martial artists
This is a list of notable professional male mixed martial arts fighters in alphabetical order.
__NOTOC__
A
* Shamil Abdurakhimov - ( M-1, UFC)
* Daichi Abe - (UFC, Pancrase)
* Hiroyuki Abe - (Shooto, KOTC, Cage Rage, DEEP, Pride)
* Papy Ab ...
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Moldavsky, Valentin
1992 births
Living people
Russian sambo practitioners
Russian male mixed martial artists
Ukrainian sambo practitioners
Ukrainian male mixed martial artists
Ukrainian emigrants to Russia
Naturalised citizens of Russia
Mixed martial artists utilizing sambo
Sportspeople from Luhansk Oblast