Scott Coker has announced via Twitter that reigning Bellator Heavyweight champion, Ryan Bader, will defend his title against the interim champion, Vadim Moldavsky. The title unification bout will take place on January 29th of 2022 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
On January 29, 2022 @RyanBader defends his @BellatorMMA Heavyweight World Title against Interim Heavyweight Champ Valentin Moldavsky at @FootprintCNTR in Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/BvcXBdwZcv
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) December 13, 2021
Bader has not been out of form recently. In the last three bouts, he has won only once – against the Lyoto Machida at Bellator 256. Just before the duel with the Brazilian, he faced Vadim Nemkov and lost his Lightweight title after a barrage of kicks and punches from Russian in the second round. He has also lost at Bellator 268 to newly signed Corey Anderson via TKO in the first round, ending his tenure in Lightweight World Grandprix, thus putting an end to his hopes of reclaiming the lost title.
However, he’s undefeated in the heavyweight division. He debuted as a participant in Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix and defeated King Mo, Matt Mitrione, and Fedor Emelianenko in succession to win the whole tournament and claim the then-vacant title belt. His only title defense ended as No Contest when during a fight against Cheick Kongo at Bellator 226 an accidental eye poke occurred.
Valentin Moldavsky is currently on the wave of a six-fight winning streak and is unbeaten in Bellator. During his last fight at Bellator 261 he defeated Tim Johnson to become Interim Heavyweight Champion. He has a record of 11 wins and 1 defeat, which he suffered in the finals of RIZIN World Grand Prix back in 2016, when Amir Aliakbari won by Split Decision.
