Bellator Heavyweight Valentin Moldavsky Captures World Sambo Championship

Valentin Moldavsky is following in the footsteps of his mentor, Fedor Emelianenko.

The Bellator heavyweight contender captured a gold medal in the +100 kilogram division in combat sambo at the World Sambo Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia, over the weekend. The event was organized by the European Sambo Federation (ESF), a member of the International Sambo Federation (FIAS).

Emelianenko was a heavyweight champion under the FIAS banner in 2002, 2005 and 2007 and of course, was regarded as the sport’s most dominant heavyweight — and perhaps its best pound-for-pound fighter — during a 28-fight unbeaten streak from 2001 to 2009.

Moldavsky, who trains with Fedorteam in Russia, is 10-1 thus far in his professional career and 5-0 in Bellator. He owns notable wins over the likes of Roy Nelson, Javy Ayala and Linton Vassell.