With three straight impressive wins, Linton Vassell thinks he's done enough for the next shot at gold.
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – With three straight impressive wins, Linton Vassell thinks he’s done enough for the next shot at gold.
Vassell (22-8 MMA, 10-5 BMMA) edged out former NCAA Division-II national champion wrestler Tyrell Fortune at Bellator 271 this past Friday, beating him at his own game by winning the grappling exchanges.
Since moving back up to heavyweight, Vassell has won three of four and would like a crack at the winner of Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader and interim champ Valentin Moldavsky, who are expected to unify their belts in the near future. If Vassell gets his wish, not only would he get a shot at gold, but an opportunity to avenge a few of his most recent losses.
“I would like another fight, but at the end of the day, I always feel like we’re our own worst enemies,” Vassell told reporters, including MMA Junkie, following the event. “It would have been nice to knock him out or even finish him, but at the end of the day, I’m 38 now. That’s three wins.
“I beat Sergei Kharitonov, who was supposed to be fighting for the belt if he beat me; Ronny Markes, another blackbelt; and then an 11-1 Tyrell Fortune, who was on a winning streak, as well. I beat the three of them, so I don’t know who should be next really to fight Ryan Bader or Valentin Moldavsky. I feel like I’m next, but it’s not up to me, is it? So wherever Scott Coker is, I’ll be having words with him and see what he says.”
Bellator 271 took place Friday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. To see the full interview with Vassell, check out the video above.
