Valentin Moldavsky

Valentin Igorevich Moldavsky (Russian: Валентин Игоревич Молдавский; born 6 February 1992) is a Ukrainian (until 2014) and Russian (since 2014) combat sambo and mixed martial arts practitioner. He is a World and European Champion in +100 kg. In mixed martial arts, Moldavsky has a record of 10 wins against 1 defeat.[1]

Valentin Moldavsky
Born	6 February 1992 Novopskov, Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine
Native name	Валентин Молдавский
Nationality	Ukrainian (until 2014) Russian (since 2014)
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	235 lb (107 kg; 16 st 11 lb)
Division	Heavyweight
Style	Combat Sambo
Team	FedorTeam
Years active	2014–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	11
Wins	10
By knockout	1
By submission	3
By decision	6
Losses	1
By decision	1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record Men's combat sambo Representing  Russia World Championships 2020 Novi Sad +100 kg 2018 Bucharest +100 kg European Championships 2018 Athens +100 kg 2014 Bucharest –90 kg

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.[2]

Moldavsky started his sports career in Ukraine, but since the eruption of the political crisis there he has been performing for Russia.[3]

Sambo

In 2018, Moldavsky won the European Sambo Championships in Athens, Greece and the World Sambo Championships in Bucharest, Romania in the +100kg 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 +100kg category.[4]

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.[5]

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.[6]

Moldavsky returned to the promotion in March 2019 at Bellator 218, where he defeated Linton Vassell by unanimous decision.

Moldavsky faced Javy Ayala at Bellator 239 on February 21, 2020.[7] Using takedowns and dominating Ayala on the ground, Moldavsky won the fight by unanimous decision.[8]

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.[9]

Championships and Accomplishments

• Rizin Fighting Federation
  • 2016 Rizin Openweight Grand Prix Semifinalist

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
11 matches	10 wins	1 loss
By knockout	1	0
By submission	3	0
By decision	6	1

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Win	10–1	Roy Nelson	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 244	August 21, 2020	3	5:00	Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win	9–1	Javy Ayala	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 239	February 21, 2020	3	5:00	Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win	8–1	Linton Vassell	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 218	22 March 2019	3	5:00	Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win	7–1	Ernest James	TKO (punches)	Bellator 202	13 July 2018	1	4:03	Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win	6–1	Carl Seumanutafa	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 181	14 July 2017	3	5:00	Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Loss	5–1	Amir Aliakbari	Decision (split)	Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: Final Round	31 December 2016	2	5:00	Saitama, Japan	2016 Rizin Openweight Grand-Prix Semi-Finals
Win	5–0	Szymon Bajor	Decision (unanimous)	Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 2nd Round	29 December 2016	2	5:00	Saitama, Japan	2016 Rizin Openweight Grand-Prix Quarter-Finals
Win	4–0	Karl Albrektsson	Decision (unanimous)	Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 2nd Round	25 September 2016	2	5:00	Saitama, Japan	2016 Rizin Openweight Grand-Prix First Round
Win	3–0	Daniel Doerrer	Submission (guillotine choke)	Fight Nights Global 50: Fedor vs. Maldonado	17 June 2016	1	0:47	St. Petersburg, Russia
Win	2–0	Yuta Uchida	Submission (rear-naked choke)	Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 1 - Saraba	29 December 2015	1	2:20	Saitama, Japan	2015 Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix reserve bout
Win	1–0	Karen Karapetyan	Submission (armbar)	Professional Combat Sambo: Eurasian Economic Union	21 February 2015	1	1:26	Omsk, Russia

References

1. "Valentin Moldavsky". Sherdog.com.
2. Молдавский Валентин Игоревич
3. Сарайкин, Шуянова и Молдавский поделились своими впечатлениями от финала
4. Steve Juon (November 11, 2020). "Bellator heavyweight Valentine Moldavsky takes home the gold". mmamania.com.
5. Fedor Team
6. Валентин Молдавский / Valentin Moldavsky
7. Nolan King (January 15, 2020). "Bellator 239 adds Tyrell Fortune vs. Timothy Johnson, Denise Kielholtz vs. Kristina Williams". mmajunkie.com.
8. Mike Bohn (February 21, 2020). "Bellator 239 results: Valentin Moldavsky mauls Javy Ayala to pair of 30-24 scores". mmajunkie.com.
9. "Bellator 244 Results: Bader vs. Nemkov". MMAFighting.com. August 21, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.