Bellator 218: Valentin Moldavsky poised to enter title picture after Linton Vassell win
THACKERVILLE, Okla. – Valentin Moldavsky felt Linton Vassell’s new heavyweight strength early, then had to persevere to get a win.
Moldavsky (8-1 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) took a unanimous decision from Vassell (19-8 MMA, 7-6 BMMA) in the Bellator 218 co-main event Friday night. It was Vassell’s move to heavyweight after a two-fight skid that included a light heavyweight title fight loss to champion Ryan Bader before Bader became heavyweight champion, as well.
“In the beginning of the fight, I felt he was very strong,” Moldavsky told MMA Junkie after the fight. “But then I felt him getting tired. … Then I took the position to beat him. In the third round, I understood that I had to wrestle.”
Bellator 218 took place Friday at WinStar World Casino & Resort in Thackerville, Okla. The main card aired on Paramount and streamed on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Moldvasky now believes he needs one more win, then he wants a title shot.
“But if you give me a title (shot) after this fight, very good,” said Moldavsky, who is targeting a return in three months for his shot to move to 4-0 in the promotion.
Check out the full interview with Moldavsky in the video above, and don’t miss highlights of his win below.
And for complete coverage of Bellator 218, check out the MMA Events section of the site.