Unity match between Ryan Bader and Vadim Moldavsky takes place on January 29

Scott Coker announced via Twitter that the defending heavyweight champion Bellator, Ryan Bader, will defend his title against the interim champion, Vadim Moldavsky. The title unification match will take place on January 29, 2022 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

On January 29, 2022 @RyanBader protect him @BellatorMMA Heavyweight World Title vs Interim Heavyweight Champ Valentin Moldavsky at @FootprintCNTRU in Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/BvcXBdwZcv

– Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) December 13, 2021

Bader hasn’t appeared recently. In the last three matches, he only won once – before Lyoto Machida at Bellator 256. Right before the brawl with the Brazilian, he was faced with Vadim Nemkov and lost the Lightweight title after a series of kicks and punches from the Russians in the second round. He also lost at Bellator 268 to get a new one Corey Anderson passed TKO in the first round, ending his tenure in the Lightweight World Grandprix, thus ending his lost hopes of regaining the title.

However, he was undefeated at heavyweight. He debuted as a participant in the Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix and defeated King Mo, Matt Mitrione, and Fedor Emelianenko consecutively won the entire tournament and claimed the vacant title belt. His only title defense ended as No Contest when in a fight against Cheick Kongo At Bellator 226, an accidental eye poke occurred.

Valentin Moldavsky is currently on a 6-match winning streak and is unbeaten against Bellator. In the final battle at Bellator 261, he defeated Tim Johnson to become the Interim Heavyweight Champion. He has a record of 11 wins and 1 loss, which he suffered in the final of the RIZIN World Grand Prix back in 2016, when Amir Aliakbari won by Split Decision.