Valentin Moldavsky trained in the arts of Combat Sambo, Greco-Roman wrestling and judo before transitioning full time into MMA. Moldavsky, the former Combat Sambo world champion, has scored a number of notable victories in his career thus far, including wins over Roy Nelson, Linton Vassell, Tim Johnson and Steve Mowry – with the Johnson win netting him the Interim Bellator Heavyweight World Championship. Moldavsky competed in the 2024 Regular Season, defeating Ante Delija but dropping a split decision to Linton Vassell.
Known for his aggressive striking, Sergey Bilostenniy scored over 100 wins in army hand-to-hand combat. Bilostenniy has nine wins via a finish, eight of which have come in the first round. Bilostenniy has scored two victories in two appearances in PFL thus far, defeating Blagoy Ivanov and scoring a first-round submission of Tyrell Fortune.
These two have been training partners. And now only one of them can get the last Semifinals spot in the 2025 PFL Heavyweight World Tournament.
Round 1
Bilostenniy is looking for a fast start. Both men with calf kicks. Left hand from Moldavsky. Low kick from Bilostenniy again. Left hand from Moldavsky. And again. The two clash with hooks. Spinning back kick to the body by Bilostenniy. Low kick from Moldavsky. Both men narrowly miss with hooks. Right hand from Bilostenniy and a left from Moldavsky. Nasty uppercut-hook combo from Moldavsky. Hook from Bilostenniy.
Round kick from Bilostenniy. Right hand from Bilostenniy, but Moldavsky gets out of the way. Both men land hooks. Low kick from Bilostenniy. Uppercut from Moldavsky. Low kick from Moldavsky. Left hand from Moldavsky is blocked. Spinning back kick from Moldavsky lands low. One-two from Bilostenniy. Moldavsky with a counter hook on a one-two. Body kick from Bilostenniy leads to an opportunity for Moldavsky to land. But Bilostenniy CRACKS Moldavsky! Bilostenniy throws a flurry, but Moldavsky is saved by the bell!
Round 2
Low kick from Moldvasky. Moldavsky tries to punch from range. Right hand to the body by Moldvasky. Moldavsky misses a wheel kick. Spinning low kick from Bilostenniy, but Moldavsky counters with a left hook. Moldavsky flashes the left. Combination thrown from Moldavsky. Low kick from Moldavsky. Clash of hooks to the head. Moldavsky goes for a level change but eats a shot from Bilostenniy. Low kick from Bilostenniy. Hooks from both men.
Bilostenniy with head movement making Moldvasky miss. Bilostenniy flashes the right. Bilostenniy with a combination catching Moldavsky coming in. Round kick by Moldavsky. Right hand to the body by Bilostenniy. Solid combinations from both men. High kick thrown by Bilostenniy. One-two from Bilostenniy. Uppercut from Bilostenniy. Moldavsky narrowly misses a left hook. Bilostenniy blocks a high kick. Moldavsky presses Bilostenniy against the fence. Separation and the two throw again. Body kick by Moldavsky before the bell.
Round 3
Shot to the body by Bilostenniy. Moldavsky lands a big right! Bilostenniy responds in kind! Moldavsky presses Bilostenniy into the fence, looking for a takedown. Left hand by Moldavsky. Bilostenniy throws elbows, but he’s warned for landing to the back of the head. Bilostenniy tries to free himself, trying to lift the pressing Moldavsky.
Moldavsky with a shot to the midsection. Knee to the legs by Moldavsky. Moldavsky continues to land on the inside and presses Bilostenniy. Moldavsky continues to search for the takedown. Bilostenniy finally gets away from Moldavsky’s grasp and lands a knee. Right hand thrown from Bilostenniy to the body. Another body shot by Bilostenniy. Clash of the heads it appears. Left hand from Bilostenniy, and there’s the bell.
OFFICIAL RESULT
Valentin Moldavsky defeats Sergey Bilostenniy by unanimous decision (29-28x3), advancing to the Semifinals in the Heavyweight Bracket, where he’ll face Alexandr Romanov.
