Bellator 261 results, highlights: Valentin Moldavsky earns interim heavyweight crown over Tim Johnson

Moldavsky and Johnson slugged it out over five rounds as the Russian earned his shot against Ryan Bader

Valentin Moldavsky had to be on his guard through all five rounds of his Bellator 261 main event with Tim Johnson for the interim heavyweight title. Johnson's big power punches represented a 25-minute threat, but Moldavsky was able to tactically pick his spots to outwork Johnson and take home the title via unanimous decision.

Johnson tried to press the action early, coming forward as Moldavsky used his big speed advantage to try and let combinations go to counter any forward charge from Johnson. Moldavsky also initiated clinches to smother Johnson's power when the two would near the cage.

Moldavsky stuck to that strategy for nearly the entire fight outside of a stretch late in Round 3 where he was able to take Johnson down and nearly get his back. Just as Moldavsky avoided the danger on the feet, Johnson capably handled that dangerous stretch on the ground to end the round on his feet.

Johnson did occasionally land on the feet, but never put together enough success to make a clear case for more than one round in the fight, ultimately dropping the decision by scores of 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46.

"I'm very tired," Moldavsky said after the victory. "I'm very happy I won. I thought it was going to be a little easier fight but it is what it is."

Moldavsky is a member of Team Fedor, working with MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko. Now a champion, Moldavsky joins light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov as Team Fedor's top stars. It was also announced Friday afternoon that Emelianenko will return to the cage in October, facing an opponent still to be named as Bellator heads to Moscow.

CBS Sports was with you throughout the evening for the latest updates, highlights and results from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut with our live blog below.

Bellator 261 card, results

• Valentin Moldavsky (ic) def. Tim Johnson via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) 
• Liz Carmouche def. Kana Watanabe via first-round knockout (punches)
• Sidney Outlaw def. Myles Jury via third-round submission (rear-naked choke)
  
• Daniel Weichel def. Keoni Diggs via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
• Christian Edwards def. Simon Biyong via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• John de Jesus def. John Macapa via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  
• Taylor Johnson def. Lance Wright via first-round submission (rear-naked choke)
• Jaylon Bates def. Cody Matthews via second-round submission (armbar)
• Corey Samuels def. Isaiah Hokit via first-round TKO (punches)
• Soren Bak def. Bobby Lee via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)

[Jun 25, 2021 at 11:33 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Official result Valentin Moldavsky def. Tim Johnson via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) to win the vacant interim heavyweight title.

[Jun 25, 2021 at 11:31 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Johnson continued to stalk, trying to make something happen with him likely clearly down on the scorecards. Johnson bombed away in the final seconds, with Moldavsky returning fire as Johnson roared. But it was too little, too late for Johnson barring a surprise on the scorecard. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Moldavsky (49-46)

[Jun 25, 2021 at 11:28 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Tim Johnson vs. Valentin Moldavsky -- Round 5: A sweeping hook from Moldavsky landed clean and a right hand stumbled Johnson backward. Moldavsky circled around he outside of the cage, trying to pick his spots to engage before trying for a takedown but Johnson fended off the attempt.

[Jun 25, 2021 at 11:25 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

A left hand and a clash of heads opened a cut around Johnson's right eye. Johnson connected cleanly again late, maybe securing the round. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Johnson (39-37 Moldavsky)

[Jun 25, 2021 at 11:22 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Tim Johnson vs. Valentin Moldavsky -- Round 4: A wild exchange took place early in the round, with Johnson clipping Moldavsky with a right hand. Johnson landed in another flurry, briefly wobbling Moldavsky. Still, Moldavsky was getting the better of most exchanges, hitting and getting away without getting hit.

[Jun 25, 2021 at 11:18 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Johnson hit a good left hand and Moldavsky responded by charging forward for a takedown, taking Johnson's back as Johnson was on one knee. As Johnson repeatedly tried to stand up, Moldavsky continued to drag him right back down to the ground. Johnson finally broke away at the end of the round, but too late to do anything. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Moldavsky (30-27)

[Jun 25, 2021 at 11:16 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Tim Johnson vs. Valentin Moldavsky -- Round 3: Moldavsky again got off with a few early punching combinations. Moldavsky hit a good left hand and pushed Johnson against the cage. Moldavsky's hand speed continued to be a major factor in the fight, with an ability to get off several punches to each one of Johnson.

[Jun 25, 2021 at 11:12 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Johnson landed a nice straight left late in the round. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Moldavsky (20-18)

[Jun 25, 2021 at 11:11 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Johnson landed a few solid body shots against the cage and a few more in the clinch that followed. Moldavsky backed off and landed some quick punches, keeping Johnson from getting set. Johnson finally landed some heavy punches inside the clinch, getting to the side of Moldavsky's head.

[Jun 25, 2021 at 11:09 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Tim Johnson vs. Valentin Moldavsky -- Round 2: Moldavsky landed two hard punches early as his speed continued to be a big issue for Johnson. A Moldavsky knee to the body in the clinch appeared to cause Johnson to wince and hold on.

[Jun 25, 2021 at 11:06 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Moldavski landed a pair of left hands as Johnson tried to charge forward. Moldavsky was in the clinch again and escaped with a quick two punch combination. Moldavsky landed a backfist as the men exchanged and Johnson tried to charge forward for wild brawl but Moldavsky clinched to break Johnson's rhythm without taking any damage.

[Jun 25, 2021 at 11:02 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Tim Johnson vs. Valentin Moldavsky -- Round 1: Johnson just missed with a big power shot early as he stalked forward. Johnson landed a leg kick and just missed again with a left hand. Moldavsky slipped several shots from Johnson before locking up the clinch. 

[Jun 25, 2021 at 10:44 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Liz Carmouche vs. Kana Watanabe -- Round 1: Both women opened up throwing big strikes, with both landing some clean shots before Carmouche stumbled Watanabe. Carmouche charged forward, throwing huge punches as Watanabe covered up against the cage. As Watanabe's legs buckled repeatedly, the referee was forced to jump in to make the save. Official result: Liz Carmouche def. Kana Watanabe via TKO, Round 1