| Bellator 261: Johnson vs. Moldavsky | |
| Promotion: | Bellator MMA |
| Venue: | Mohegan Sun Arena |
| City: | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States |
| Previousevent: | Bellator 260: Lima vs. Amosov |
| Followingevent: | Bellator 262: Velasquez vs. Kielholtz |
Bellator 261: Johnson vs. Moldavsky was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on June 25, 2021, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.[1] [2]
With current heavyweight champion Ryan Bader moving on in the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament, Timothy Johnson and Valentin Moldavsky competed for an Bellator Interim Heavyweight World Championship.[3]
A title eliminator women's flyweight bout between Liz Carmouche and Kana Watanabe served as the co-main of the event.[4]
A light heavyweight bout between Christian Edwards and Ben Parrish was scrapped after weigh-ins at Bellator 259 after Edwards wasn't cleared to compete by the Mohegan Sun Athletic Commission.[5] After being cleared by a commission doctor on May 26, 2021, the bout was rebooked for this event.[6]
The reigning WBC Muaythai World Featherweight champion Lena Ovchynnikova was scheduled to fight Kyra Batara in the event prelims.[7] However, the bout was cancelled the week of the event with one of Batara's corner testing positive for COVID-19.[8] [9]
A featherweight bout between Keoni Diggs and two-time Bellator Featherweight title challenger Daniel Weichel was announced for the main card.[10]
A middleweight bout between Taylor Johnson and Lance Wright was to take place at Bellator 260.[11] However, a week before the event it was announced that it was moved to this event.[12]
Light heavyweight bouts between Simon Biyong and Lee Chadwick and Christian Edwards and Ben Parrish were scheduled for this show. However, Chadwick tested positive for COVID-19 and Parrish had to pull out of the bout, so Biyong and Edwards were matched with each other.[13]