Valentin Moldavsky lights up Ante Delija for standing TKO

Valentin Moldavsky arrived in type below the PFL banner Thursday as he pummeled Ante Delija en path to a first-round end.

The heavyweight bout headlined 2024 PFL 1 at Boeing Heart at Tech Port in San Antonio. Moldavsky (13-3) completed Delija (24-6) with punches for a stoppage at 2:17 of Spherical 1.

With legendary Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko in his nook, Moldavsky confirmed off a strike-heavy strategy. Delija appeared uncomfortable within the minute main as much as the end, as he glanced at his nook, probably indicating an harm. PFL president Ray Sefo later revealed Delija suffered a torn groin muscle (h/t MMA Mania).

That didn’t maintain again Moldavsky, who frequently marched ahead and served up a wholesome platter of punches till Delija coated up in opposition to the cage. The depth and frequency of punches elevated till referee Jacob Montalvo waved off the struggle.

With the victory, Moldavsky pocketed six factors within the heavyweight common season standings. He completed out the night time because the division’s chief.

QUICK WORK FOR VALENTIN! He goes straight to the highest of the Heavyweight standings!#PFLRegularSeason pic.twitter.com/7ZJLkP8upp

— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 5, 2024

Moldavsky, 32, is a former Bellator interim heavyweight champion. He went 7-2 below the promotion’s banner previous to his entrance into the PFL common season.

Delija, 33, has a five-fight profitable streak snapped. He was the promotion’s 2022 heavyweight champion however solely competed as soon as within the 2023 season previous to harm.

The up-to-the-minute 2024 PFL 1 outcomes embrace:

• Valentin Moldavsky def. Ante Delija by way of TKO (punches) – Spherical 1, 2:17
• Denis Goltsov def. Linton Vassell via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 3, 3:11
• Liz Carmouche def. Juliana Velasquez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Dakota Ditcheva def. Lisa Mauldin via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:54
• Daniel James def. Marcelo Golm via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:59
• Sergei Bilostenniy def. Blagoy Ivanov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Taila Santos def. Ilara Joanne via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:57
• Oleg Popov def. Steve Mowry via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 3:47
• Jena Bishop def. Chelsea Hackett via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 4:15 – regular season bout
• Dmitre Ivy def. Lucas Brennan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – showcase bout
• Bryce Meredith def. Ty Johnson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – showcase bout

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for 2024 PFL 1.