Tag: Tim Johnson

Bellator 261 results: Valentin Moldavsky claims interim title to set up Ryan Bader unification bout

Valentin Moldavsky became the interim heavyweight champion at Bellator 261 and will fight Ryan Bader next.

[autotag]Valentin Moldavsky[/autotag] is the new Bellator interim heavyweight champion and has guaranteed a position to unify the title with Ryan Bader.

With Bader absent to defend his crown due to his participation in the light heavyweight grand prix, Moldavsky (11-1 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) picked up the interim strap in Friday’s Bellator 261 headliner when he beat [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] (15-7 MMA, 3-3 BMMA) by unanimous decision at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The scores were 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46.

“I thought the fight was going to be a little easier,” Moldavsky said through an interpreter post-fight in his interview with John McCarthy. “It is what it is.”

The fight started out with a bit of a feeling out process, but then Johnson started to pick up the pace and pressure Moldavsky with his combinations. He found solid success backing Moldavsky up and forcing him to exchange, but the Russian was able to absorb the blows throughout the first round and slow Johnson down with some late clinch work.

Moldavsky collected himself well in the second round. He found his range in the striking exchanges with Johnson and was able to land some solid head shots. Johnson stayed in his face and consistently threw back, keeping the bout very competitive through 10 minutes.

The pace slowed down in the opening minutes of the third round, with Moldavsky utilizing the clinch. He broke free at roughly the midway point, and was able to chip away at Johnson from the outside. Moldavsky shot for his first takedown with less than two minutes left, and was able to burn time off the clock with a rear body lock position and get the edge in the round.

With both men starting to show fatigue in the championship rounds, the output slowed with clinch work near the fence. There were moments of exchanges, with Moldavsky having more success due to his speed and strike selection. Johnson received a cut around his right eye that the replay later showed came as the result of a head butt, and he showed some desperation with his late flurries.

With Moldavsky in control going into the final round, he didn’t take much in the way of chances. He stayed on the outside and picked his shots, while also fending off Johnson’s advances every time he got too aggressive. Johnson tired to push until the final bell, screaming at Moldavsky and pushing forward. Moldavsky obliges in some late chaos, but it wasn’t enough for Johnson to get the result-altering moment he needed to take the win and the belt.

With the win, Moldavsky becomes the second fighter from Team Fedor to hold a Bellator strap, joining 205-pound titleholder Vadim Nemkov. He’ll now meet Bader, who delivered a message to the new champion on social media.

Great fight! Moldavsky looked good, fast and his cardio was on point. Tim brought it but would have liked to see him threaten some takedowns. looking forward to coming back to Heavyweight let’s get it!

Complete Bellator 261 results included:

  • Valentin Moldavsky def. Tim Johnson via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) – for interim heavyweight title
  • Liz Carmouche def. Kana Watanabe via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:35
  • Sidney Outlaw def. Myles Jury via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:44
  • Daniel Weichel def. Keoni Diggs via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
  • Christian Edwards def. Simon Biyong via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • John De Jesus def. John Teixeira via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Taylor Johnson def. Lance Wright via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:58
  • Jaylon Bates def. Cody Matthews via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 4:04
  • Corey Samuels def. Isaiah Hokit via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:10
  • Soren Bak def. Bobby Lee via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)

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Twitter Mailbag: Stipe Miocic vs. UFC Fight Night 190 main event winner next?

Where will a win put the Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov winner in the UFC heavyweight division?

Questions on your mind about recent happenings in the UFC or sport of MMA in general? MMA Junkie’s Twitter Mailbag is here – and this week, @mma_kings answers:

  • Should the winner of the UFC Fight Night 190 main event between [autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag] and [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] get [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] next?
  • If [autotag]Tanner Boser[/autotag] loses to Ovince Saint Preux at UFC Fight Night 190, will he be cut?
  • What’s next for the winner of the Bellator 261 interim heavyweight title fight between [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Valentin Moldavsky[/autotag]?
  • Should Bellator create a 225-pound division?

Watch the video above for answers to those questions.

To ask a question of your own, follow @MMAjunkie on Twitter and let us know.

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Bellator 261 faceoff video highlights: Co-main event staring contest nearly doesn’t end

Check out the ceremonial weigh-in faceoffs ahead of Bellator 261 at Mohegan Sun.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Bellator makes its return Friday, and the promotion is implementing an interim heavyweight title.

Bellator 261 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena with the main card airing on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie. Atop the bill are top heavyweight contenders [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) and [autotag]Valentin Moldavsky[/autotag] (10-1 MMA, 5-0 BMMA). They will compete for the interim strap in the absence of undisputed champion Ryan Bader, who is partaking in the promotion’s light heavyweight grand prix.

The co-main event features a women’s flyweight fight. Former UFC title challenger [autotag]Liz Carmouche[/autotag] (15-7 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) faces [autotag]Kana Watanabe[/autotag] (10-0-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA).

Following Thursday’s official Bellator 261 weigh-ins, the athletes came face to face for some traditional pre-fight staredowns.

Check out the faceoffs below, including Johnson vs. Moldavsky, Carmouche vs. Watanabe, [autotag]Keoni Diggs[/autotag] vs. [autotag] Daniel Weichel[/autotag], [autotag]Myles Jury[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Sidney Outlaw[/autotag], and [autotag]Simon Biyong[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Christian Edwards[/autotag].

Earn, ask, receive: Tim Johnson didn’t ‘overplay the game’ to get what he wanted at Bellator 261

With an interim title fight on the horizon, Tim Johnson still plans to make good on his “gentlemen’s agreement” with Ryan Bader.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Months of public self-advocating will pay off for [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] when he steps inside the cage at Bellator 261.

Atop the rankings of a Bellator heavyweight division that has been largely stagnant for the past year, Johnson (15-6 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) topped off a three-fight winning streak with a split decision victory over Cheick Kongo at Bellator Europe 10 last October.

When Bellator relaunched in 2021, the promotion announced the light heavyweight grand prix that included heavyweight champion Ryan Bader competing at 205 pounds. After wins over three contenders, Johnson thought he earned a title shot regardless of whether or not it would be against Bader. Johnson mentioned it every chance he could, through interviews, fight negotiations, and beyond – and it all paid off.

“Just kind of don’t play the overplay the game, I guess,” Johnson told MMA Junkie when asked what advice he’d give fighters advocating for opportunities. “I know everyone thinks they’re going to do the (Conor) McGregor thing. I’ve never been that kind of in-your-face kind of person. … I got something that I think I earned. It wasn’t because of my big following on Instagram or me talking crap on Twitter. I got this opportunity because I earned it.”

In 2018, Johnson departed the UFC and joined Bellator. Friday’s event will mark the first time he has competed for a major promotion’s title, which is the whole reason he elected to switch promotions in the first place. Given the UFC’s landscape at the time, Johnson didn’t think his abilities would be valued as much as someone who talked a good game.

“Right after I signed on, I remember this question, too, like, ‘What made you want to sign?'” Johnson said. “I’m like, ‘I came over because I didn’t want to be just a gatekeeper.’ I had goals and aspirations to reach the top and want to be known as one of the best fighters.”

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If he defeats Valentin Moldavsky (10-1 MMA, 5-0 BMMA), Johnson plans to wait until undisputed champ Bader moves back up to the heavyweight division. The two have displayed much respect toward each other despite Bader’s hiatus and, according to Johnson, they have a gentleman’s agreement.

“I think it was like two weeks after (my Kongo fight), we were communicating back and forth on social media,” Johnson said. “We made a gentlemen’s agreement, ‘Hey, let’s fight (in) like February. I’m like, ‘All right, let’s do it, you know?’ So it’s nice. It’s just like Moldavsky. We’ve communicated via Instagram back and forth. And it’s respectful, and we’re good sports. I like finding people that have good sportsmanship rather than jerks. It’s just a matter of respect for this competition.”

Bellator 261 takes place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

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Bellator 261 adds Tim Johnson vs. Valentin Moldavsky interim title headliner, Jury vs. Outlaw

With champion Ryan Bader competing at 205 pounds, the promotion has implemented an interim strap.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – The Bellator heavyweight title picture finally has some clarity, and it comes in the form of an interim belt.

Over the past few weeks, Bellator president Scott Coker has teased the implementation of an interim belt with the division’s champion, Ryan Bader, currently competing in the light heavyweight grand prix.

On Friday, promotion officials confirmed to MMA Junkie that Bellator 261 will take place on June 25. [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Valentin Moldavsky[/autotag] will headline the event with the newly-instated interim championship up for grabs at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Johnson (15-6 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) is currently on a three-fight winning streak but has not competed since October 2020. After his most recent win, Johnson made it clear he felt he was next in line, a sentiment echoed by the undisputed title holder Bader.

As for Moldavsky (10-1 MMA, 5-0 BMMA), the Fedor Emelianenko protege has passed every test Bellator has thrown his way. His last three wins have come via unanimous decision against Bellator notables Linton Vassell, Javy Ayala, and most recently, Roy Nelson.

Promotion officials also informed MMA Junkie that a lightweight fight between Bellator-ranked lightweights [autotag]Myles Jury[/autotag] (19-5 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) and [autotag]Sidney Outlaw[/autotag] (15-4 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) has been added to the card.

Check out the current Bellator 261 lineup below:

  • Tim Johnson vs. Valentin Moladvsky – for the interim heavyweight title
  • Myles Jury vs. Sidney Outlaw
  • Kyra Batara vs. Lena Ovchynnikova
  • Isaiah Hokit vs. Aaron Hughes

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Grand prix pulled Ryan Bader away from heavyweight, but he has no plans to vacate title

An interim Bellator heavyweight title? Ryan Bader sees it as a possibility.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] was headed to heavyweight to defend his title. Then the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix happened, and things changed.

One fight removed from losing his 205-pound title to Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 244 in August, Bader (27-6 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) will return to action Friday at Bellator 256 against Lyoto Machida. It’s not the weight class most people, including Bader, expected he’d compete in next, but Bellator needed him.

“(The plan) was to defend the heavyweight belt,” Bader, who holds the promotion’s heavyweight championship, told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “I was going to fight Tim Johnson in potentially March, early March. We were waiting for this whole Showtime deal to go through and all that kind of stuff. That was going on at the same time. Then they came up and asked us if we wanted to do the light heavyweight tournament, the grand prix. (They said) they’d rather us do that.

“We said, ‘Whatever you want us to do. We’d love to enter another grand prix.’ I asked them too, ‘Well, what about the heavyweight belt?’ They were like, ‘We’ll figure that out. Keep it for now. We’ll go forward and see what happens.’ That was kind of how that whole ordeal worked out.”

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Bader has not competed at heavyweight since 2019. His absence has paused divisional flow and left contenders, namely [autotag]Timothy Johnson[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 3-2 BMMA), in limbo of whether or not to take another fight.

Despite the division in which he holds a belt being essentially put on hold, Bader doesn’t bear the responsibility for his inactivity. To him, vacating his title shouldn’t be on the promotion’s agenda since Bellator presented him with the grand prix opportunity. Maybe an interim belt is the way to go.

“I’m not giving it up. No. 1, because I fought there,” Bader said. “Bellator came to me and asked me if I wanted to do this tournament. They said I could keep this belt. Maybe an interim belt going (forward)? But that’s up to Tim Johnson. He’s the No. 1 contender. I know we agreed on this fight, and he’s been looking great and (has) three (straight) wins.

“It’s just one of those things. Does he want to fight for an interim belt? Then we can unify it? Or does he want to wait for the actual title shot? That’s always a gamble, too. At the end of the day, I want to be active. Barring any injuries, if I got out there and win this tournament, I’ll be ready a couple of months after those finals. It’s really kind of up to Bellator and up to him.”

Bellator 256 takes place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

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Michael Chandler vs. Benson Henderson 2, Matt Mitrione vs. Tim Johnson set for Bellator 243

The Bellator 243 lineup is starting to take form.

The Bellator 243 lineup is rolling out.

On Aug. 7, Bellator will head back to Mohegan Sun Arena for its second event since returning from hiatus due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Headlining the card will be a rematch between former Bellator lightweight champion [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] and former UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag].

Additionally, heavyweight contenders [autotag]Matt Mitrione[/autotag] and [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] will square off in Uncasville, Conn.

Multiple sources informed MMA Junkie of the bookings Thursday but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Combate was first to report Chandler vs. Henderson 2.

Chandler (20-5 MMA, 17-5 BMMA) and Henderson (28-8 MMA, 5-3 UFC) first fought at Bellator 165 in November 2016. At the time, Chandler was Bellator’s 155-pound titleholder. After five rounds, the fight went to the judges’ scorecards, with Chandler declared the split decision winner.

Since their first meeting, Chandler has gone 4-1. His lone loss was an unsuccessful title defense against Patricio Freire. After losing his belt, Chandler defeated Sidney Outlaw by knockout last December.

As for Henderson, “Smooth” dropped a fight to Patricky Freire after losing to Chandler. He has since rattled off four straight victories.

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Mitrione (13-7 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) has gone 0-2 with a no contest in his past three fights. He was expected to fight Ronny Markes at Bellator 241 in March, however, the event was canceled just hours prior to its scheduled start time.

Johnson (13-6 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) is coming off a massive upset victory at Bellator 239 in February. Taking on undefeated prospect Tyrell Fortune, Johnson pulled off a highlight-reel first-round knockout via punches.

Bellator 243 takes place Friday, Aug. 7 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card is expected to simulcast on DAZN and Paramount Network after prelims on MMA Junkie.

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Catching up with Tim Johnson | Off Guard

You never know when “Gorgeous” George or “Goze” will catch somebody “Off Guard.” This time they catch up with former UFC and current Bellator heavyweight Tim Johnson.

You never know when “Gorgeous” George or “Goze” will catch somebody “Off Guard.” This time they catch up with former UFC and current Bellator heavyweight Tim Johnson.