V. Moldavsky is the new interim heavyweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Ward of Fedor Emelianenko, Valentin Moldavsky won the most important victory of his career and is the new interim heavyweight champion (120,2kg.). The Ukrainian overcame Timothy Johnson in a unanimous decision by the judges (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) at Bellator 261, in a fight that took place in Connecticut (USA) this Friday (25).
See too
Hired by Bellator in 2017, Valentin Moldavsky still doesn't know what defeat means in the organization chaired by Scott Coker. Since its debut, there have been five consecutive victories for the company. Now, the Ukrainian has a record of 11 victories and just one setback.
Timothy Johnson has his series of three positive results broken. Thus, the North American suffers his seventh defeat. He also has 15 wins.
THE FIGHT
The fight started with both fighters measuring the distance and without exposure. The first big action was taken by Tim Johnson, who went all out on Valentin Moldavsky. The Ukrainian, however, knew how to hold the pressure and returned with the fight on his feet. Still, the North American continued to corner his opponent and managed to land a good cross in the final stretch.
In the second round, Moldavsky started to act. The Ukrainian connected with an uppercut that made Johnson retreat. He also pressed close to the fence and connected crosses from close range. However, the North American got revenge and had a good time when he applied two uppercuts that rocked their opponent.
The third round was marked by the aggressiveness of the fighters. Valentin Moldavsky seemed more complete and arrived before Tim Johnson in the strikes. The Ukrainian even tried the catch to take down his opponent. The North American managed to get out of the grip and the round ended in the center of the cage.
Valentin Moldavsky didn't want to start changing and already took Tim Johnson to the bars to try for the takedown. Still, the North American managed to get out of the grip and started working on combinations at distance with jabs and direct, which entered his opponent's face cleanly. At one point, Johnson cut his eyebrow and suffered damage to his right eye in the final stretch of the round.
In the fifth and decisive round, the competitors already seemed more tired and did not even touch each other with any intensity. The fight was fair, but without major blows for either side. With an advantage, Moldavsky once again took the fight to the cage
Liz Carmouche knocks out, takes Japanese woman's unbeaten record and gets closer to fighting for the flyweight belt
It couldn't even sound! In the second most important fight of the night, valid for Bellator's flyweight category (up to 56,7kg), Liz Carmouche made her 'experience' count and managed to quickly define the fight. The North American defeated Japanese Kana Watanabe in just 35 seconds in the first round of the confrontation.
Now, the former UFC title challenger should also get the fight in Bellator. The title today belongs to Brazilian Juliana Velasquez, who puts it on the line against Denise Kielholtz in edition no. 262.
Carmouche has a record of 15 triumphs and seven setbacks, while Watanabe encounters his first career defeat. The Japanese also has 10 wins and one draw.
The only Brazilian on the Bellator 261 card, John Macapá is defeated by split decision
It wasn't the night of featherweight (up to 65,7kg.) John Macapá. The Brazilian, who was the country's only representative at Bellator 261, fought a balanced fight, but ended up defeated by the American John de Jesus in a split decision by the judges (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
The fight was 'energetic' between the fighters, with John Macapá and John de Jesus exchanging blows at close range most of the time. The North American bet on low kicks, which hurt his opponent. In turn, the Brazilian marched forward and didn't even stop moving, but he didn't do enough to have his 'hands raised' in the fight.
John Macapá, 34 years old, fails to win after spending a year and a half away from fighting due to the pandemic. Now, he has a career record of 23 wins, six losses and two draws. At 30, John de Jesus has a record of 14 triumphs and nine setbacks.
Bellator 261 results
MAIN CARD
Heavyweight (up to 120,2kg): Valentin Moldavsky defeated Timothy Johnson via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Liz Carmouche defeated Kana Watanabe by technical knockout in 35 seconds. from R1
Lightweight (up to 70,3kg): Sidney Outlaw submitted Myles Jury with a rear naked choke at 4m44sec. from R3
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Daniel weichel defeated Keoni Diggs via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Christian Edwards defeated Simon Biyong by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): John de Jesus defeated John Macapá in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Middleweight (up to 83,9kg): Taylor Johnson submitted Lance Wright with a rear naked choke at 2m58sec. from R1
Bantamweight (up to 61,2kg): Jaylon Bates submitted Cody Matthews with an armbar at 4:04. on R2
Lightweight (up to 70,3kg): Corey Samuels defeated Isaiah Hokit by knockout 10s of R1
Lightweight (up to 70,3kg): Soren Bak defeated Bobby Lee via unanimous decision (30-26, 39-27, 29-27)
Comments