The protege of the legendary Mirko Cro Cop, Ante Delija fell just short of becoming a PFL Champion in 2021. But he took that disappointment and used it as motivation fuel, getting his way through the 2022 season with a finish of Matheus Scheffel and a unanimous decision over Shelton Graves. He then scored back-to-back first-round finishes of Renan Ferreira and Scheffel in the postseason to capture the season’s heavyweight title. Unfortunately for Delija, who entered with 17 of his 24 career victories coming via stoppage – 13 of them in the first round – injuries resulted in him having just one fight in 2023 – a unanimous decision win over Maurice Greene.

 

Valentin Moldavsky’s grappling skills are top level, starting Greco-Roman wrestling at 11 years old before transitioning to sambo and judo. Moldavsky, who won a Combat Sambo World Championship in 2018, won six straight in Bellator after signing in 2017. He defeated Tim Johnson at Bellator 261 to become interim Bellator Heavyweight Champion; however, he lost his unification bout with Ryan Bader at Bellator 273. Since then, Moldavsky has suffered a loss at the hands of Linton Vassell and a no-contest and decision win against Steve Mowry – both of whom have joined Moldavsky and Delija in the 2024 PFL Heavyweight Season.

 

Will Delija get off on a hot start toward a second PFL heavyweight title, or will Moldavsky start strong as he works his way to finally capturing a world title?

 

 

Round 1

 

Moldavsky with a low kick. Delija misses with a left. Both fighters feel one another out early on. Delija misses another left. Left hook and a right hand from Delija. Delija lands another left hook. Four-punch combination from Moldavsky, which backs up Delija. Both men land to the body. Body kick from Moldavsky. Both men land a left. Something looks wrong with Delija – he seems to be tentative with his movements. Moldavsky lands a combination, followed up with a couple of low kicks. Another combination from Moldavsky. Another combination from Moldavsky with Delija against the fence, and he’s hurt! Moldavsky fires off a flurry, and it’s over!

 

 

What a first-round finish in Valentin Moldavsky’s PFL debut, getting a quick six points and the top spot in the PFL heavyweight rankings so far!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Valentin Moldavsky defeats Ante Delija by 1st round TKO (2:17), earning 6 points in the PFL Heavyweight Division, moving him into 1st place.