Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

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Valentin Moldavsky is the first Bellator fighter to win a heavyweight title bout since January 2019, and that’s enough for the Russian to gain entry in Sherdog.com’s divisional rankings.

The Fedor Emelianenko protégé captured the interim heavyweight crown with a five-round verdict over Timothy Johnson in the Bellator 261 main event at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on Friday night. Moldavsky is currently on a six-bout winning streak within the California-based promotion, and as a result, checks in at No. 12 in the heavyweight poll – one spot ahead of Johnson. If Moldavasky doesn’t defend the interim crown before then, a date with undisputed heavyweight king Ryan Bader looms large.

In other heavyweight action, surging Frenchman Ciryl Gane cruised past Alexander Volkov in the UFC Fight Night 190 headliner to improve to 9-0 in his burgeoning professional career. Only a select few heavyweights have kicked off their Octagon tenures with six consecutive triumphs, and “Bon Gamin” appears to have all the makes of a championship contender like those who came before him. For now, though, he stays put at No. 5 in the rankings, while Volkov keeps his No. 7 spot.

Note: Previous rankings listed in parentheses.

Note: Previous rankings listed in parentheses.

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