Valentin Moldavsky


Valentin Igorevich Moldavsky is a Ukrainian and Russian 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 9 wins against 1 defeat.

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

Sambo

In 2018, Moldavsky won the European Sambo Championships in Athens, Greece and the World Sambo Championships in Bucharest, Romania in the +100 weight category.
He also won the 2020 Russian national Championship, which allowed him to qualify for the World Sambo Championships in Turkmenistan.

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 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. Using takedowns and dominating Ayala on the ground, Moldavsky won the fight by unanimous decision.

Mixed martial arts record