Interim gold, that is. Up against Timothy Johnson, the resurgent former UFC heavyweight, Moldavsky controlled a fight that was a grinding, exhausting affair peppered with occasional bursts of heavy hitting.

“I’m very happy to win. I wish I’d ended it a little earlier, but it is what it is,” Moldavsky (11-1) said following the win. “I was prepared for a full five rounds. I wish I could have ended it earlier. Hopefully the next fight I can do that.”

Asked if there were any surprises from Johnson, who was in it until the end, the newly crowned interim champ replied “he turned out to be a little stronger physically than I expected, but that’s it.”

Given the nature of the belt Moldavsky now holds — interim — a title unification bout is to be expected. But heavyweight champ Ryan Bader is currently tied up in the light heavyweight grand prix, which could easily go another seven or eight months depending on scheduling.

Moldavksy didn’t have a message for the Bellator heavyweight champ on Friday. “I don’t want to send any messages. Whenever the fight comes up, then we’ll talk,” he stated. However, he told Cageside Press that he wants to defend his belt if the Bader situation drags on.

“If Bader’s going to be absent for a long time, I’d like to defend the interim title,” said Modavsky.

Earlier in the Bellator 261 post-fight press conference, Moldavsky expressed interest in the recently announced Moscow event: “Yes, I want to fight in Moscow,” the new champ stated, bypassing his translator and answering in English. Which is likely a sign of just how much he wants to join coach Fedor Emelianenko on the Bellator Moscow card.

Watch the full Bellator 261 post-fight press conference with Valentin Moldavsky above.

The post Bellator 261: Valentin Moldavsky Wants to Defend Interim Title if Bader Remains Absent appeared first on Cageside Press.

Following a 10-second knockout of Isaiah Hokit, however, that will likely change, at least among the Bellator faithful. One of the fastest knockouts in promotional history is likely to be a highlight reel replay for years to come.

As for Samuels (3-2), the lightweight just wanted to “let everyone know I’m here,” he told media outlets during Friday’s post-fight press conference.

“Even my amateur career, everyone’s been doubting me. ‘Oh he’s not going to do this’ and all that. I only started taking it really seriously when I went pro,” admitted Samuels. However, once Samuels turned pro in 2018, he began training all aspects of mixed martial arts. That included working with the legendary JZ Cavalcante, he noted.

Ahead of the fight, Samuels admitted to being a little less than calm. “I was up all night just being nervous,” he revealed. “I love to fight, but I hate to fight, you get what I mean? A lot of times, I just wish it was over, and I got my wish apparently. Both my coaches told me ‘let your hands go, you’ve got heavy hands, you can knock people out.’ But I wasn’t— now I’m like, okay. Now I know.”

Isaiah Hokit was a highly touted prospect and training partner of Aaron Pico, making the finish that much more impressive. Samuels, however, wasn’t interested in the pedigree of his opponent’s corner — and he wasn’t surprised to be counted out ahead of the fight. “I’ve always been counted out. I came from nothing, I came from the bottom. I’ve always been counted out. So me personally, I don’t care who you have in your corner.”

Samuels, who was on a one-fight deal with the promotion, is hoping Bellator keeps him around moving forward. And he’s looking to improve from here on out, taking a slow build rather than trying to jump in against a ranked opponent. “Honestly I’m just trying to build myself right now. Once I build myself, then we’ll go from there.”

Watch the full Bellator 261 post-fight press conference with Corey Samuels a.k.a. “Lightning Wolf” above.

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Bellator 261’s main event saw two big, strong grapplers throw down when Timothy Johnson went up against Valentin Moldavsky. The interim title was necessitated by Ryan Bader moonlighting in the light heavyweight grand prix — creating a golden opportunity for two surging big men.

It was heavy leather and big punches being thrown early in Johnson vs. Moldavsky, with the wrestling of Johnson and Sambo of Moldavsky cancelling each other out to some extent. Near the final minute of the opening frame, Johnson briefly lured Moldavsky into a brawl next to the fence, but the Team Fedor fighter quickly reversed and wisely disengaged. What Moldavsky did manage to do was land a shot off the exit — something he’d succeed at a handful of times in the round.

Early in round two, Moldavsky landed a couple of heavy shots before the pair tied up again. Plenty of grappling and exchanges of single strikes followed. Again, towards the final minute, Johnson managed to lure his opponent into a brief firefight. But Moldavsky was the quicker, more mobile man. He was soon out of harm’s way. In the final minute of the second, the pair clinched up, with Johnson landing a knee, but not much else. Johnson’s best punch landed in the dying seconds of the round, and the pair got a little scrappy at the bell.

In the third, Moldavsky once again went looking for a knockout blow coming out of the clinch. This time, there was no connection. Johnson, meanwhile, punched his way into a clinch against the fence, only to be immediately reversed. As the round progressed, Johnson fired out a leg kick or two, but Moldavsky was getting the better of most of the exchanges. When Johnson finally got his attention, clipping him with a punch with just under two minutes in the frame, Moldavsky shot for a takedown, trapping Johnson against the fence and throwing him, just briefly, to his knees.

Come the championship rounds, Moldavsky had shown he could find success with his Sambo. He went back to that early in round four, though Johnson’s wrestling served him well. Moldavsky wound up landing a knee in the clinch as the pair battled for position, and again missed on a punch off the break. Later in the round, Johnson began punching his way in, looking to close the distance with a little more emphasis. He was also cut open care of an accidental headbutt. The pair finished the round trading, Moldavsky landing the better shots.

Johnson was arguably in need of a finish in round five. Moldavsky looked fresher, and had likely got the upper hand in at least three of the previous four rounds. Johnson, leaking blood from the cut opened off the headbutt, once again found himself in a clinch. Not unfamiliar territory, but the positional battles were not lending themselves to the notion of a stoppage. In the final seconds of the round, Johnson finally got a brawl going again, the two heavyweights practically bellowing as they swung. But ultimately, it was the positional battles, the clinches, and the less violent areas of the fight that won Valentin Moldavsky interim gold.

Official Result: Valentin Moldavsky def. Timothy Johnson by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)

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With Bellator President Scott Coker making Carmouche vs. Watanabe a bonafide title eliminator, it was time to leave it all on the line Friday — and Carmouche certainly came out guns blazing. Watanabe was quickly backed up against the fence, and the “Girl-Rilla” was putting on perhaps the most dominant striking display of her career. Lefts and rights were hitting home, and Watanabe was rocked. She was barely able to cover up, sagging and ready to drop when the ref made the save.

The entirety of the affair lasted all of 35 seconds, with Watanabe getting in zero offense essentially. Carmouche, meanwhile, made a statement and then some. With Juliana Velasquez defending her title against Denise Kielholtz next month, Carmouche will be waiting in the wings for the winner.

Official Result: Liz Carmouche def. Kana Watanabe by TKO, Round 1, 0:35

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Nothing was set in stone. But Jury, ranked fourth, was the only fighter coming off a win in the top five outside of Peter Queally, ranked just behind him in the number five spot. A Jury win, in fact, would give the former UFC star three straight — but with Patricio Pitbull still tied up in the featherweight grand prix, when the title might be defended, and against who, was anyone’s guess.

If the storyline called for an exciting Jury win on Friday, however, no one gave Sidney Outlaw the memo. When the fight went to the ground — relatively early, with the lightweight duo relatively dry — Outlaw was on the back. For a good long while. With both hooks in, Outlaw managed to control Jury while working on submissions. Doing just enough, at times, to stop the fight from being stood up. Once the body triangle was locked in near the end of the round, the question of a potential 10-8 arose.

Jury, meanwhile, looked exhausted. So it was no surprise to see Outlaw go back to the well in the opening minute of round two. Jury managed to fend off the takedown, up to a point. But again, Outlaw got him down, dragging him right down on top, with Outlaw in back control. Hooks were in instantly, and it was deja vu all over again for Myles Jury.

It was rinse and repeat again in round three for Jury, who had no answer to the ground game of Outlaw. Unable to scramble out, unable to turn and get on top, Jury spent the fight wearing Outlaw like a seat belt. Jury’s biggest moment, staggering to his feet and running into a slam, didn’t even knock Outlaw out, let alone off. A second attempt fared no better. And with time winding down, Outlaw managed to sink in a rear-naked choke, earning the finish with just over ten seconds remaining.

The win by Outlaw further muddies the waters at lightweight. In terms of the title picture, Outlaw and Peter Queally are now the highest ranked fighters at 155lbs coming off wins. Outlaw sits at sixth, but come next week, may find himself bumped up a spot or two.

Official Result: Sidney Outlaw def. Myles Jury by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 4:44

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With heavyweight champion Ryan Bader tied up in the light heavyweight grand prix, Timothy Johnson and Valentin Moldavsky got the nod to throw down for interim gold on Friday. The event, taking place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT, would have fans in attendance, and shape the heavyweight division for months to come.

The co-main event would also play a big part in the title picture of its respective division. Liz Carmouche and Kana Watanabe were set to throw down in women’s flyweight action, with a title shot promised to the winner by Bellator President Scott Coker.

Full results from the event can be found below. A live stream of the preliminary card action is available above, as well as the main card for Canadian viewers.

Bellator 261: Johnson vs. Moldavsky Results

Main Card

Valentin Moldavsky def. Timothy Johnson by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) – for the Bellator interim heavyweight championship
Liz Carmouche def. Kana Watanabe by TKO, Round 1, 0:35
Sidney Outlaw def. Myles Jury by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 4:44
Daniel Weichel def. Keoni Diggs by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Christian Edwards def. Simon Biyong by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Preliminary card

John de Jesus def. John Macapá by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Taylor Johnson def. Lance Wright by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 2:58
Jaylon Bates def. Cody Matthews by submission (arm-bar), Round 2, 4:04
Corey Samuels def. Isaiah Hokit by knockout, Round 1, 0:10
Søren Bak def. Bobby Lee by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)

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“That’s a trip, even when people still say that. Yeah man, Myles Jury Day September 30th, how cool is that?” exclaimed Jury during this week’s Bellator 261 virtual media day. “I think I’ll be back in town, and looking forward to it.”

First, of course, there’s a fight ahead. This Friday night, Jury will look to make it three wins in a row, against his latest opponent, the well-travelled Sidney Outlaw.

Earlier this week, Outlaw told Cageside Press that he felt the fight with Jury could be a main event itself.

“It’s definitely a perspective to look at it. You can definitely make a case that this could be a main event,” said Jury, in agreement with the notion. “Both guys, what we bring to the table. My credibility alone, I feel like when you match up resumes, who people fought, names, all across the board, in Bellator, definitely I have a bigger name than a lot of these guys.”

A win for Jury at Bellator 261 puts him in an interesting spot. Currently ranked fourth at lightweight, Jury sits behind Goiti Yamauchi, Benson Henderson, and Patricky Pitbull. Patricky’s not about to fight his own brother, and Henderson has dropped two straight. Yamauchi had a three-fight win streak snapped in April, leaving Jury as a front-runner in the title race.

Only one problem: Patricio Pitbull remains tied up in the featherweight grand prix.

“I try and focus on stuff I can control in this game, and believe it or not, there’s just a small portion that I can control,” replied Jury when asked if there was any frustration on his part due to the murky title picture. “I don’t know what Scott [Coker] wants to do, what Bellator wants to do, Pitbull, all these other guys. So I’m just focused on what’s in front of me. I feel like I want to go out there and have a good performance, I’m coming in prepared to do that. If all the stars align after this fight and I can get a title shot, that would be a beautiful thing.”

Myles Jury fights Sidney Outlaw this Friday at Bellator 261. The event airs live on Showtime in the U.S., following prelims right here on Cageside Press.

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Biyong isn’t sure what the “real reason” for that fight falling through was. He heard the French boxing commission was involved, perhaps because Manhoef had too much experience in comparison to the 7-1 Biyong, a RIZIN Fighting Federation alum.

The next opportunity has arrived in the form of light heavyweight prospect Christian Edwards, however. It’s a short notice scrap for both men, who were previously booked opposite other fighters.

“I don’t think I had so much time to prepare for Christian Edwards. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter, because it’s a fight,” Biyong told Cageside Press during the Bellator 261 media day this week. “It’s two persons, two humans, two athletes who meet each other in the cage, and the better athlete will get the win.”

“I think also for him, it’s short notice. For me, it’s short notice,” the Cameroonian fighter added. “But we have to show up. I’m ready to show up. I’m more than ready.”

Edwards is an unbeaten prospect billed as a training partner of Jon Jones — the next big thing, frankly. That might seem like some extra motivation, and it might be, but Biyong is careful not to buy into the hype.

“Yes,” Biyong replied when asked if Edwards’ billing was added motivation. But, he added, “For me at the end of the day, it’s just a fight. It don’t see in Christian Edwards— Jon Jones is not going to fight for him. At the end of the day, it’s just promotion, it’s just hype. It’s just me and him in the cage, no Jon Jones, no coach.”

“I’m here to test myself first. I’m here to test myself, I’m here to test my skills. I’m here to put myself in the position where I can have a ranked opponent for my second Bellator fight,” Biyong added. “Christian Edwards is in my way, and I can’t allow anybody to get in my way.”

Watch the full Bellator 261 virtual media day scrum with Simon Biyong above. The event takes place this Friday, June 25 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

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One’s an American wrestler, one a decorated Sambo practitioner, for starters. So you know the grappling side will be strong. During the Bellator 261 media day on Wednesday, Moldavsky gave his response. “There’s some similarities with me and Tim Johnson. He likes to hug the cage, and he’s decent in the standup. I’m more likely to take takedowns and finish guys on the ground, and that is it,” he stated.

Moldavsky was short and to the point with the media Wednesday. Asked by Cageside Press if the feeling ahead of a title fight, and his first main event, was any different than his prior bouts, he replied by saying that “I understand there’s more responsibility now, since it’s a title fight, but I’m feeling the same as before every fight. I’m calm, and I’m ready to go.”

That was a better reaction than some media members received. Asked if he would feel like a real champion prior to unifying the belt (held by heavyweight champ Ryan Bader), Moldavsky bristled at the question. “I don’t really like that question, so I’m not going to answer it,” the heavyweight contender stated.

As for representing Team Fedor and the Nemkov brothers, “it is a very big honor to represent the team and train with those guys,” Moldavsky said.

Watch the full Bellator 261 virtual media day scrum with Valentin Moldavsky above. The event takes place this Friday, June 25 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

The post Bellator 261’s Valentin Moldavsky: Despite Added Responsibility, Feeling the Same Ahead of Title Fight appeared first on Cageside Press.

Don’t let that small number, just two pro fights, fool you however. Bates also went undefeated as an amateur, and counting those appearances, has hit double digits in terms of fights under his belt.

As things progress, however, Bates admits that nerves come with it. “I would say I get a little more nervous, as everything goes,” he told Cageside Press during this week’s Bellator 261 virtual media day. “More, my record is on the line of course, so I get a little more nervous. But that just means I care, so I love it.”

This time out, Bates is up against Cody Matthews. Asked for his thoughts on the match-up, Bates exclaimed that “it’s going to be a painting, and his face will be the canvas.”

More specifically, however, Bates is looking to show some different tools when he creates his latest masterpiece.

Among them, “really my athleticism. I feel like my last two fights, I wrestled a lot, I did a lot of damage. But this fight, I want to show my athleticism and my stand-up a lot more,” Bates told us. “I know he has a knockout, so I’m excited to go out there and see what he really has to offer.”

Watch the full Bellator 261 virtual media day scrum with Jaylon Bates above. The event takes place this Friday, June 25 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

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