UNCASVILLE, CONN. — Valentin Moldavsky was crowned interim heavyweight champion with a unanimous decision over Lamberton, Minn., native Tim Johnson on Friday night at Bellator 261.
Minnesota native Tim Johnson loses heavyweight title bout at Bellator 261
Valentin Moldavsky was crowned interim champion by winning via unanimous decision.
June 26, 2021 at 4:14AM
Moldavsky, the No. 3-ranked heavyweight in the mixed martial arts competition, won the five-round fight 50-45, 49-46, 49-46.
Johnson, a 36-year-old former Minnesota State Moorhead wrestler who had won his previous three matches to become the No. 1-ranked heavyweight, fell to 15-7 in his MMA career.
Moldavsky, a 29-year-old from Russia, improved to 11-1 in his career. He had the advantages in most categories: strikes landed (72-33), punches landed (46-26) and knees landed (22-4).
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Minnesota, ranked first in the nation, dealt with injury and absence against No. 3 Michigan State.
