Latest news with #ValentinMoldavsky
The Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
MMA referee screams at doctors to help as former UFC star carried out of cage after sickening kick to testicles
A REFEREE screamed for help from a doctor after a former UFC star crumpled in agony from a kick to the testicles. Stricken Alexander Romanov had to be carried from the cage on a stretcher after just his second Professional Fighters League (PFL) match. 5 5 5 The Moldovan, aka King Kong, was once a top UFC heavyweight prospect. But the 34-year-old switched to a different Mixed Martial Art earlier this year. And he was closing in on a PFL heavyweight title shot when a sickening blow sent him reeling. Romanov was taking on Russian Valentin Moldavsky, 33, in Chicago. And his eye-watering fate came as early as the opening round. Romanov had been struggling to seriously trouble Moldavsky, despite landing a few of his renowned slam takedowns. And when the younger man got up, he put on enough pressure to leave King Kong tiring. Little more than 30 seconds were left in the first of the three five-minute rounds when the distressing moment arrived. The pair were grasping each other on the ropes when Romanov delivered a knee to his opponent. 5 Moldavsky returned the blow in kind - but accidentally went too low. Romanov instantly slumped to the floor, holding his groin - while his rival protested his innocence. Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford in another twist as UFC boss Dana White says he IS promoting super-fight The ref yelled for medical aid as Romanov was in obvious agony and fight fans looked on worried. Meanwhile, Moldavsky sunk to his knees, with his head down - apparently in rueful reflection The cage-side doctor dashed over to treat the stricken giant. And the doc soon confirmed the inevitable - that Romanov would be unable to continue. The 18st 13lbs wrestler was then taken away on a stretcher. It meant the bout - a PFL heavyweight tournament semi-final - was ruled a "no contest". Romanov had dazzled when winning his only other PFL fight in May, beating 40-year-old American Timothy May by submission. It left the East European well placed for a title shot - until a badly placed knee in his very next fight. 5
Arab News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Heavy hitters book places in 2025 PFL World Tournament semis
FLORIDA: The first round of the 2025 PFL World Tournament concluded on Thursday night at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, with four fighters in the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions punching their tickets to June's semifinals. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport In the heavyweight semifinals, Brazil's Rodrigo Nascimento (12-3) will take on Russia's Oleg Popov (20-2), while Moldova's Alexandr Romanov (19-3) is set to face former interim Bellator champion, Valentin Moldavsky (14-4). In the light heavyweight semifinals, former Bellator champion Phil Davis (25-7, 1 NC) will face Arizona's Sullivan Cauley (7-1), while former PFL Europe standout Simeon Powell (11-1) will go head-to-head with 2021 PFL light heavyweight champion Antonio Carlos Jr. (17-6, 2 NC). Thursday's main event featured a clash between Davis and 2022 PFL light heavyweight champion Rob Wilkinson (19-4, 1 NC). After a slow start, Davis, an NCAA wrestling champion, came out firing in the second round, overwhelming his Australian opponent with a barrage of strikes that forced the referee to step in. With the emphatic stoppage, Davis secured his spot in the semifinals. The co-main event featured a showdown between two Russian heavyweights with nearly identical records, former interim Bellator champion Valentin Moldavsky and Sergey Bilostenniy (13-4). It is rare to see heavyweights maintain such a relentless pace, but the former training partners emptied their tanks over three grueling rounds. While Bilostenniy landed more volume, Moldavsky controlled the grappling exchanges and delivered the more impactful strikes, earning a well-deserved decision victory. Former Bellator light heavyweight No.1 contender Karl Moore (12-4) squared off against 2021 PFL light heavyweight champion Antonio 'Shoeface' Carlos Jr. Using his elite jiu-jitsu pedigree, Carlos J. was able to neutralize the power of his Irish opponent for most of the bout. Despite a late flurry from Moore in the final round, Carlos Jr. stayed in control and earned the split decision victory, his eighth win in his past nine fights. Kicking off the main card was a clash between two European light heavyweights: Karl Albrektsson (14-7) and Simeon Powell. Albrektsson found success early, landing a steady stream of kicks that scored points and wore down the 2023 PFL Europe light heavyweight runner-up. However, momentum shifted in the second round when Powell unleashed a flurry of vicious elbows that staggered the Swede and dropped him to the canvas, prompting the referee to step in. With the win, 'Smooth' Powell secured his spot in the semifinals in June. The 2025 PFL World Tournament continues on Thursday, June 12, with the welterweight and featherweight semifinals. 2025 PFL World Tournament 4: First round main card Phil Davis (25-7, 1 NC) def. Rob Wilkinson (19-4,1 NC) via KO (strikes) at 00:51 of round two Valentin Moldavsky (14-4) def. Sergey Bilostenniy (13-4) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3) Antonio Carlos Jr (17-6, 2 NC) def. Karl Moore (12-4) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Simeon Powell (11-1) def. Karl Albrektsson (14-7) via TKO (strikes) at 2:05 of round two 2025 PFL World Tournament 4: First round early card Alexandr Romanov (19-3) def. Tim Johnson (18-12) via submission (standing guillotine) at 1:53 of round one Oleg Popov (20-2) def. Karl Williams (10-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Sullivan Cauley (7-1) def. Alex Polizzi (11-5) via TKO (strikes) at 1:36 of round one Rodrigo Nascimento (12-3) def. Abraham Bably (5-2) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) 2025 PFL World Tournament schedule 2025 PFL World Tournament 5: Semifinals, June 12, Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Nashville 2025 PFL World Tournament 6: Semifinals, June 20, INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita 2025 PFL World Tournament 7: Semifinals, June 27, Wintrust Arena, Chicago 2025 PFL World Tournament 8: Finals, Aug. 1, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ 2025 PFL World Tournament 9: Finals, Aug. 15, Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina 2025 PFL World Tournament 10: Finals, Aug. 21, Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hollywood, Florida
USA Today
05-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
PFL announces 2025 heavyweight and light heavyweight tournament participants
The fighters competing on this year's PFL heavyweight and light heavyweight tournaments are set. PFL announced on Wednesday the eight fighters that will be competing in each respective weight class, along with alternate names for the 205-pound division. At heavyweight, most notably former interim Bellator champion Valentin Moldavsky and recent signee in UFC veteran Alexander Romanov will be participating. And at light heavyweight, former Bellator champion and UFC veteran Phil Davis will be competing alongside former PFL champions Rob Wilkinson and Antonio Carlos Jr. Below is the full list of fighters set to participate in the two biggest weight classes for the PFL 2025 tournaments. Heavyweight: Light heavyweight: ** Alex Polizzi (11-4) and Rafael Xavier (13-8) will serve as alternates. The PFL 2025 tournaments kick off on April 3, April 11, April 18, and May 1 at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla. The completed brackets will be unveiled March 11 through a bracket reveal show on YouTube. Fighters will need to win three consecutive bouts to win their respective tournaments. The tournaments winners will each receive a $500,000 bonus.
