Bellator hosts a duel between Ryan Bader and Fedor Emelianenko's pupil to unify the heavyweight belt

R. Bader will once again defend his heavyweight belt (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/Bellator MMA)

After more than two years, Ryan bader he will finally defend his heavyweight belt (up to 120,2kg) again. This Monday (13), Bellator announced that the linear champion will put his title on the line against interim leader Valentin Moldavsky, pupil of Fedor Emelianenko. The fight is scheduled to take place at Bellator 273, scheduled for January 29th.

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Bader became heavyweight champion in January 2019, winning the division's tournament with a first-round knockout over Fedor Emelianenko. In his first title defense, the North American faced off against veteran Cheick Kongo, however, the duel ended 'without result' after the champion punched Kongo in the eye, who was unable to continue the fight. The fighter has a record of 28 triumphs and seven setbacks in professional MMA.

Undefeated in seven fights for Bellator, Valentin Moldavsky became interim champion of the division after beating Tim Johnson, in a unanimous decision by the judges, last June. Fedor's pupil, the Russian fighter will have the opportunity to avenge the defeat suffered by his master. The 29-year-old athlete has an MMA record of 11 positive results and just one negative result.

Bellator 273 is scheduled to take place on January 29th and will be held at Footprint Center, in Phoeniz, Arizona (USA).