Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader said his former opponent, Russia's Valentin Moldavsky, is one of the division's strongest contenders for the belt.
Who is the second strongest heavyweight in Bellator? Probably Valentin Moldavsky or Linton Vassell. We had a very tough and close fight with Moldavsky.
Ryan Bader at the Bellator 290 post-fight press conference
Moldavsky faced Vassell in the cage at Bellator 218 on March 22, 2019. In that bout, Valentin won by unanimous decision. The Moldavsky vs. Bader fight took place in January 2022 at Bellator 284. Ryan defeated the Russian by unanimous decision. The 30-year-old Moldavsky has a record of 12 wins and two losses.