Valentin Moldavsky

Valentin Igorevich Moldavsky (; born 6 February 1992) is a Russian mixed martial artist and combat sambo practitioner. He formerly competed for Bellator MMA, where he was an interim Heavyweight World Champion and the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He is also a two-time world and one-time European Sambo Champion in the +100 kg division.

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, Greece and the World Sambo Championships in Bucharest, 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 on 21 February 2015, beating him with an armlock. Soon after, Moldavsky has been coached by Fedor Emelianenko 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 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 by decision.

Bellator MMA Moldavsky debuted for Bellator MMA 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 on March 22, 2019 at Bellator 218, winning the bout by unanimous decision.

Moldavsky faced Javy Ayala 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 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 on June 25, 2021. He won the bout and the title by unanimous decision.

Moldavsky faced Bellator Heavyweight World Champion Ryan Bader to unify the Heavyweight titles on January 29, 2022 at Bellator 273. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. 7 out of 11 media scores gave it to Moldavsky.

Moldavsky faced Steve Mowry at Bellator 284 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 on March 10, 2023 at Bellator 292. He lost the bout in the first round, getting dropped on the feet and knocked out by elbows from mount.

Moldavsky had a rematch Steve Mowry on August 11, 2023 at Bellator 298. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Professional Fighters League 2024 Moldavsky debuted with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) at PFL 1 on April 4, 2024 and won his bout against Ante Delija via technical knockout with knees and punches.

Moldavsky faced Linton Vassell in a rematch on June 13, 2024 at PFL 4. He lost the fight via split decision.

Moldavsky was scheduled to face Oleg Popov in the semifinals of the 2024 Heavyweight tournament at PFL 7 on August 2, 2024, however he pulled out for unknown reasons.

2025 On March 5, 2025, the promotion officially revealed that Moldavsky joined the 2025 PFL Heavyweight Tournament.

In the quarterfinal, Moldavsky faced Sergey Bilostenniy on May 1, 2025, at PFL 4. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

In the semifinals, Moldavksy faced Alexander Romanov at PFL 7 on June 27, 2025. The bout ended in a no contest after Moldavsky accidentally hit Romanov with a groin strike and he was unable to continue.

In his fight outside PFL, Moldavsky faced Ivan Shtyrkov on December 12, 2025, at "RCC 24". He won the fight via split decision.

2026 Moldavsky was scheduled to face Bruno Cappelozza on July 25, 2026, at PFL Washington DC. However, Cappelozza not compete at this event due to visa issues and the bout was moved to PFL Charlotte on August 7, 2026. Moldavsky lost the bout via unanimous decison.

Championships and accomplishments Bellator MMA Interim Bellator Heavyweight World Championship (One time) Rizin Fighting Federation 2016 Rizin Openweight Grand Prix Semifinalist

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Bruno Cappelozza Decision (unanimous) PFL Charlotte: Battle vs. Rosta

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Win

Ivan Shtyrkov Decision (split) RCC 24

Yekaterinburg, Russia NC

Alexander Romanov NC (accidental knee to groin) PFL 7 (2025)

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Sergey Bilostenniy Decision (unanimous) PFL 4 (2025)

Orlando, Florida, United States Loss

Linton Vassell Decision (split) PFL 4 (2024)

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Ante Delija TKO (knees and punches) PFL 1 (2024)

San Antonio, Texas, United States Win

Steve Mowry Decision (unanimous) Bellator 298

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Loss

Linton Vassell KO (punches and elbows) Bellator 292

San Jose, California, United States NC

Steve Mowry NC (accidental eye poke) Bellator 284

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Loss

Ryan Bader Decision (unanimous) Bellator 273

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Timothy Johnson Decision (unanimous) Bellator 261

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Roy Nelson Decision (unanimous) Bellator 244

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Javy Ayala Decision (unanimous) Bellator 239

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Linton Vassell Decision (unanimous) Bellator 218

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Ernest James TKO (punches) Bellator 202

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Carl Seumanutafa Decision (unanimous) Bellator 181

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Amir Aliakbari Decision (split) Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: Final Round

Saitama, Japan Win

Szymon Bajor Decision (unanimous) Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 2nd Round

Saitama, Japan Win

Karl Albrektsson Decision (unanimous) Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 1st Round

Saitama, Japan Win

Daniel Doerrer Submission (guillotine choke) Fight Nights Global 50

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Yuta Uchida Submission (rear-naked choke) Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 1 - Saraba

Saitama, Japan Win

Karen Karapetyan Submission (armbar) Professional Combat Sambo: Eurasian Economic Union

Omsk, Russia