Bellator 261 Results: Valentin Moldavsky Wins The Interim Heavyweight Gold!
Welcome to Fightful’s results, live coverage and discussion for Bellator 261. We will bring you full, fight-by-fight coverage of the whole card. Scroll down to the Disqus boards below and chat with fellow MMA fans during the event.
Main Card (9pm EST., Showtime)
Vacant Bellator Interim Heavyweight Championship
#3 Valentin Moldavsky def. #1 Timothy Johnson by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) to win the interim heavyweight championship
#2 Liz Carmouche def. #3 Kana Watanabe by KO via strikes (0:35, R1)
#6 Daniel Weichel def. Keoni Diggs by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
#6 Sidney Outlaw def. #4 Myles Jury by submission via rear naked choke (4:44, R3)
Christian Edwards def. Simon Biyong by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Preliminary Card (6:30pm EST., Youtube)
Jaylon Bates def. Cody Matthews by submission via arm bar (4:04, R2)
Taylor Johnson def. Lance Wright by submission via rear naked choke (2:58, R1)
Soren Bak def. Bobby Lee by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
John De Jesus def. John Macapa by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Corey Samuels def. Isaiah Hokit by KO via strikes (0:10, R1)
Vacant Bellator Interim Heavyweight Championship
#1 Timothy Johnson vs. #3 Valentin Moldavsky
Round One: The round begins with the fighters swinging away at each other, Johnson starts landing some leg kicks against Moldavsky. Johnson cracks a swinging Moldavsky with a counter left, Johnson charges at Moldavsky and a wild striking exchange takes place. The fighters clinch and they exchange some strikes, the fighters separate and take some swings at each other. The fighters clinch again and they exchange some knee strikes, the fighters separate and Johnson charges at Moldavsky while taking some swings at him. Moldavsky cracks a swinging Johnson with a back fist strike, the fighters clinch again after a wild striking exchange. The fighters trade a few strikes while in the clinch and then they separate, the fighters exchange more strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Moldavsky
Round Two: The round begins with Johnson landing some leg kicks against Moldavsky, Moldavsky lands a two strike combination during an exchange with Johnson. Moldavsky then cracks Johnson with a pair of short right hooks, Moldavsky nails Johnson with a knee strike during a clinch session. The fighters separate and Moldavsky attacks Johnson with some leg kicks, Johnson charges at Moldavsky and clinches with him after landing a few strikes. The fighters separate after Johnson lands a few shots to the body of Moldavsky, Johnson rocks a swinging Moldavsky with his own strikes during an exchange. Johnson cracks Moldavsky with a knee strike after a brief clinch, the fighters clinch again and they exchange some strikes. Johnson then cracks Moldavsky with a left before another exchange breaks out, Johnson lands a few more shots on Moldavsky as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Johnson (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Moldavsky landing a combination on a charging Johnson, Johnson fires back and some exchanges take place. Moldavsky grabs a swinging Johnson and he gets him up against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Johnson charges at Moldavsky while swinging away at him. The fighters clinch and then separate before Moldavsky lands a right, Johnson continuously charges at Moldavsky while swinging wildly at him. Moldavsky then cracks Johnson with a short right to the face, Johnson lunges forward and he cracks Moldavsky with a left. Moldavsky looks for a takedown and he gets Johnson to a knee, Moldavsky drags Johnson to the ground and Johnson gets back up. Moldavsky drags Johnson back to the ground and Johnson scrambles to his feet a short time later as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Moldavsky (Overall Score: 29-28 for Moldavsky)
Round Four: The round begins with the fighters swinging away at each other, Moldavsky and Johnson get into more wild striking exchanges. Moldavsky clinches with Johnson and he gets him up against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Johnson lands a multiple punch combination. Johnson continues charging at Moldavsky while swinging wildly at him, Johnson winds up getting cut during an exchange with Moldavsky. The fighters clinch again and they exchange some strikes, the fighters separate and Johnson lands a few jabs on Moldavsky. The fighters swing away at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Johnson (Overall Score: 38-38 for Draw)
Round Five: The round begins with Moldavsky landing leg kicks and a left hook on Johnson, Moldavsky starts landing punching combos against Johnson. Johnson charges at Moldavsky while swinging away at him, the fighters clinch and battle for position along the cage wall. The fighters stay in the clinch and exchange some strikes, the fighters separate and Moldavsky pops Johnson with a left. Johnson continues charging at Moldavsky while swinging wildly at him, the fighters clinch and Johnson drills Moldavsky with a knee strike. The fighters separate and Moldavsky cracks a swinging Johnson with a counter left hook, Moldavsky grabs Johnson and he gets him up against the cage wall for a short time. The fighters clinch again and exchange a few strikes, the fighters separate and have a few striking exchanges at the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Moldavsky (Final Score: 48-47 for Moldavsky)
Official Result: #3 Valentin Moldavsky def. #1 Timothy Johnson by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) to win the interim heavyweight championship
#2 Liz Carmouche vs. #3 Kana Watanabe
Round One: The round begins with the fighters swinging away at each other, Carmouche starts landing some leg kicks against Watanabe. Carmouche rocks Watanabe with an overhand right, Carmouche backs Watanabe into the cage wall while landing a ton of unanswered strikes and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: #2 Liz Carmouche def. #3 Kana Watanabe by KO via strikes (0:35, R1)
#4 Myles Jury vs. #6 Sidney Outlaw
Round One: The round begins with Outlaw and Jury exchanging some leg kicks, Outlaw scores a takedown on Jury and he gets him in a seated position. Outlaw manages to find a way to get back control on Jury, Outlaw starts hunting for the rear naked choke against Jury. Outlaw attacks Jury with some ground and pound, Outlaw maintains back control on Jury as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Outlaw
Round Two: The round begins with Jury attacking Outlaw with a combination, Jury goes for a step in knee strike and Outlaw gets him against the cage wall. Outlaw drags Jury to the ground and he gets back control, Outlaw immediately starts attacking Jury with some ground and pound. Outlaw also goes back to hunting for the rear naked choke against Jury, Outlaw keeps back control on Jury as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Outlaw (Overall Score: 20-18 for Outlaw)
Round Three: The round begins with Jury attacking Outlaw with a jump knee strike, Outlaw grabs Jury and he drags him to the ground while gaining back control. Outlaw peppers Jury with some strikes while staying on his back, Outlaw continues hunting for the rear naked choke against Jury. Jury scrambles to his feet and Outlaw jumps onto his back to get him back down, Jury stands back up and he slams Outlaw down as Outlaw stays on his back. Jury gets up again and he fails at slamming Outlaw, Outlaw locks Jury in the rear naked choke and Jury taps out.
Official Result: #6 Sidney Outlaw def. #4 Myles Jury by submission via rear naked choke (4:44, R3)
#6 Daniel Weichel vs. Keoni Diggs
Round One: The round begins with Weichel attacking Diggs with a right hook, Weichel and Diggs also start exchanging some leg kicks. Weichel and Diggs also get into several striking exchanges, Weichel goes for a head kick and Diggs blocks it. Weichel then cracks Diggs with a right to the midsection, Diggs responds by cracking Weichel with a left hook. Diggs lands a counter right hook against a swinging Weichel, Diggs backs up Weichel again after landing another left on him. Weichel recovers and he pops Diggs with a few rights to the face, Weichel grabs Diggs and he gets him up against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Weichel hits Diggs with a jump knee strike to the face, Weichel lands a follow up right as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Weichel
Round Two: The round begins with a brief striking exchange between Weichel and Diggs, Weichel and Diggs exchange some leg kicks. Diggs backs up Weichel after taking a few swings at him, Diggs attacks Weichel with a high kick and Weichel blocks it. Weichel also nails Diggs with a straight right to the midsection, Diggs recovers and he pops Weichel with a left hook. Diggs charges at Weichel and a brief striking exchange breaks out, Weichel goes for a jump knee strike and he winds up landing a left on Diggs as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Diggs (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with a few striking exchanges between Weichel and Diggs, Diggs continuously attacks Weichel with lefts. Weichel and Diggs exchange a plethora of jabs to the face, Weichel starts landing some leg kicks against Diggs. Weichel follows up by popping a backing Diggs with a right, Weichel then lands a counter right on a kicking Diggs. Weichel comes forward and Diggs hits him with a short left, Diggs follows up by rocking a swinging Weichel with a counter left hook. Weichel recovers and he pops Diggs with a few straight rights, the fighters briefly clinch and they exchange knee strike attempts. The fighters have a wild striking exchange as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Diggs (Final Score: 29-28 for Diggs)
Official Result: #6 Daniel Weichel def. Keoni Diggs by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Christian Edwards vs. Simon Biyong
Round One: The round begins with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Edwards starts landing leg kicks on Biyong. Edwards barely lands an overhand right against Biyong, Edwards slips and Biyong manages to get top control as they hit the ground. Edwards rolls for a triangle choke and Biyong gets back to his feet to avoid it, Biyong lands some leg kicks of his own against Edwards. Biyong charges at Edwards and a brief striking exchange breaks out, Edwards rocks Biyong with a knee strike to the face. Biyong clinches with Edwards and Edwards nails him with another knee strike, Edwards then pops Biyong with a right followed by more knee strikes. Biyong looks for a takedown and Edwards defends while landing some elbow strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Edwards
Round Two: The round begins with Edwards landing a two punch combo on a kicking Biyong, Biyong cracks Edwards with a front kick to the midsection. The fighters clinch and exchange some strikes, Biyong looks for a takedown as Edwards nails him with a knee strike. The fighters separate and Edwards cracks Biyong with a left hook, Edwards then lands a counter right on a kicking Biyong. Edwards follows up by landing a counter right to the body of a swinging Biyong, Edwards looks for a takedown against Biyong as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Edwards (Overall Score: 20-18 for Edwards)
Round Three: The round begins with Edwards attacking Biyong with combinations, Biyong and Edwards exchange some leg kicks. Biyong clinches with Edwards and they battle along the cage wall, the fighters separate and Edwards clocks Biyong with a right hook. Edwards then lands a push kick to the midsection of Biyong, the fighters clinch again and exchange some strikes. The fighters separate and Edwards takes some swings at Biyong, the fighters clinch again and exchange some strikes. The fighters separate and swing away at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Edwards (Final Score: 30-27 for Edwards)
Official Result: Christian Edwards def. Simon Biyong by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
John Macapa vs. John De Jesus
Round One: The round begins with De Jesus attacking Macapa with some leg kicks, Macapa responds by landing leg kicks of his own. Macapa goes for a high kick and De Jesus manages to block it, De Jesus stuns Macapa by popping him with a straight left. Macapa continuously backs up De Jesus while swinging away at him, De Jesus cracks a swinging Macapa with a high kick. De Jesus comes forward and he cracks Macapa with a short left, Macapa continues going after De Jesus while throwing a variety of kicks. De Jesus taunts Macapa before landing another left on him, Macapa scores a takedown on De Jesus and he gets the half guard against him as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for De Jesus
Round Two: The round begins with Macapa accidentally nailing De Jesus low and the fight is halted, the action resumes with De Jesus nailing a swinging Macapa with a knee strike. Macapa comes forward and he attacks De Jesus with some leg kicks, Macapa also goes for the head kick against De Jesus. De Jesus cracks Macapa with a kick to the midsection, De Jesus pops Macapa with a superman punch to the face. Macapa then lands a two punch combination as De Jesus sets up for a jump knee strike, De Jesus continuously cracks Macapa with lefts. Macapa scores a takedown on De Jesus and he gets him in a seated position, De Jesus wall walks to his feet and Macapa keeps him against the cage wall before separating. De Jesus attacks Macapa with high kicks and leg kicks, De Jesus then nails Macapa with a side kick to the midsection, De Jesus cracks an incoming Macapa with a knee strike. De Jesus follows up by landing a left hook and jump knee strike on Macapa as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for De Jesus (Overall Score: 20-18 for De Jesus)
Round Three: The round begins with De Jesus cracking Macapa with a superman punch, Macapa and De Jesus exchange some leg kicks. De Jesus gets Macapa against the cage wall after eating a knee strike to the midsection, the fighters separate after exchanging some strikes. Macapa hits De Jesus with a front kick to the midsection, Macapa comes forward and De Jesus attacks him with a knee strike. De Jesus clinches with Macapa for a moment while landing a knee strike, Macapa starts landing a few shots to the midsection of De Jesus. De Jesus and Macapa exchange a plethora of high kick attempts that mostly get blocked, De Jesus lands a bunch of jabs against Macapa throughout the round. De Jesus also continues landing superman punches against Macapa, Macapa lands a counter strike combination against a swinging De Jesus. The fighters swing away at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for De Jesus (Final Score: 30-27 for De Jesus)
Official Result: John De Jesus def. John Macapa by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Taylor Johnson vs. Lance Wright
Round One: The round begins with Wright attacking Johnson with a few leg kicks, Johnson fires back and he goes for a high kick against Wright. Johnson nails Wright with a body kick followed by a right, Johnson scores a takedown on Wright and Wright gets back up while eating a bunch of strikes. The fighters clinch and battle for position along the cage wall, Wright cracks Johnson with a short left as they separate. Johnson lands another body kick before getting Wright against the cage wall, Johnson looks for a takedown and Wright defends while landing strikes. Johnson drags Wright to the ground and he manages to get back control, Johnson locks Wright in a rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Taylor Johnson def. Lance Wright by submission via rear naked choke (2:58, R1)
Jaylon Bates vs. Cody Matthews
Round One: The round begins with Bates attacking Matthews with some leg kicks, Bates scores a takedown on Matthews and he gets the half guard. Bates immediately starts attacking Matthews with ground and pound, Bates postures up and he attacks Matthews with a high kick when Matthews gets up. Matthews charges at Bates and he swings wildly at him, Bates scores another takedown on Matthews and he gets the half guard. Bates again starts landing ground and pound on Matthews, Bates gets up and he also allows Matthews to get back up. Bates leaps at Matthews before scoring another takedown on him, Bates gains the full mount and then back control on Matthews. Matthews sweeps Bates to get top control and Bates gets right back to his feet, Bates drags Matthews back to the ground while controlling his head. Bates keeps Matthews in a seated position while attacking him with knee strikes, Matthews scrambles to his feet and he gets into an exchange with Bates. Bates scores another takedown on Matthews and he gets side control, Bates gets up and he stands over Matthews as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Bates
Round Two: The round begins with Matthews attacking Bates with some leg kicks, Bates attempts some high kicks against Matthews. Matthews tries attacking Bates with a variety of kicks that mostly get blocked, Bates cracks a swinging Matthews with a jump knee strike followed by a left. Bates scores a takedown on Matthews and he gets the half guard, Bates attacks Matthews with some ground and pound. Bates postures up and he kicks at Matthews’ legs until Matthews gets back up, Bates scores another takedown onMatthews and he gets the half guard. Bates gains the full mount while attacking Matthews with ground and pound, Bates rolls for an arm bar and Matthews taps out.
Official Result: Jaylon Bates def. Cody Matthews by submission via arm bar (4:04, R2)
Isaiah Hokit vs. Corey Samuels
Round One: The round begins with Samuels dropping Hokit with a multiple punch combination, Samuels lands a few follow up strikes and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Corey Samuels def. Isaiah Hokit by KO via strikes (0:10, R1)
Soren Bak vs. Bobby Lee
Round One: The round begins with Bak landing a few leg kicks against Lee, Bak then exchanges a few right hooks with Lee. The fighters clinch and battle for position along the cage wall, the fighters separate and Lee lands leg kicks of his own against a swinging Bak. Bak scores a takedown on Lee and he gets back control, Lee manages to stand back up with Bak staying on his back. Bak attacks Lee with strikes while staying on his back, Lee shakes Bak off of his back and they separate a short time later. Bak and Lee start getting into some striking exchanges, Lee scores a takedown on Bak and he gets the half guard. Lee quickly advances to the side control position against Bak, Lee gains back control on Bak while landing some ground and pound. Lee rolls for a kimura on a scrambling Bak and Bak defends to get top control as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lee
Round Two: The round begins with Lee taking a few swings at Bak, Lee goes for a takedown and Bak defends before dropping for a d’arce choke. Lee defends against the choke and he gets side control on a downed Bak, Bak looks to get back up while Lee lands a few knee strikes. Bak gets up and Lee drags him back to the ground while gaining back control, Lee goes for a rear naked choke and Bak defends before gaining top control on the ground. Bak scrambles and he manages to get back control against Lee, Bak attacks Lee with some ground and pound. Bak looks to gain the full mount and Lee sweeps him to regain top control, Lee advances to side control and then back control on Bak. Lee hunts for the rear naked choke as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lee (Overall Score: 20-18 for Lee)
Round Three: The round begins with Lee cracking Bak with a right, Bak cracks Lee with a leg kick before they clinch. Bak drags Lee to the ground while controlling his head, Bak quickly starts attacking Lee with some ground and pound. Bak transitions to the full mount and then back control against Lee, Bak goes back to attacking Lee with ground and pound. Bak hunts for the rear naked choke while landing strikes against Lee, Bak continues landing strikes on Lee until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Bak (Final Score: 29-28 for Bak)
Official Result: Soren Bak def. Bobby Lee by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
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