The Bellator MMA heavyweight division will crown a definitive heavyweight champion on Jan. 29 when titleholder Ryan Bader will face interim world champion Valentin Moldavsky. Waiting in the wings for a winner is contender Linton Vassell.
Vassell is coming off an impressive three-round decision victory over Tyrell Fortune, putting him on a three-fight winning streak. Vassell has losses to both Bader and Moldavsky and wants to not only avenge those losses, but also capture his first Bellator title in the process. After a long journey at light heavyweight, Vassell finally feels heās done all the proper legwork to make a run in the heavyweight division.
Known as āThe Swarmā for his aggressive striking style, Vassell hopes 2022 will be the year he captures the Bellator title that has eluded him since his time with the promotion, dating to 2013. Hoping for a quick turnaround fight, Vassell plans to be fully prepared for a rematch with either Bader or Moldavsky.
Zenger caught up with āThe Swarmā to hear about his recent win, whether he has a personal preference for the winner of BaderāMoldavsky, and changes he made that led to his recent winning streak.
Percy Crawford interviewed Linton Vassell for Zenger.
Zenger: Congratulations on the win over Tyrell Fortune. How do you feel about your performance?
Vassell: Thank you! We are always our worst critics. I wish I would have gotten the finish, but we knew Tyrell was a tough, young stud. I feel like I showed people that I can grapple. Everyone asks, āHow are you going to handle this guy and this guy on the ground?ā I tell people all the time that I can grapple. I felt like this solidifies that I can grapple with anybody. I donāt care what belt you are, what championships youāve won, I can hold my own in the grappling department against you.
Zenger: I was shocked by the decision being split. I thought you won unanimously. Did you feel the fight was that close?
Vassell: I thought it was unanimous. Someone obviously saw it a little bit different. It is what it is; you canāt complain. I thought I won all three rounds. There is no shadow of a doubt with that.
Zenger: You ended a three-fight winning streak for Fortune while starting your own three-fight winning streak. Is this streak just consistent with you getting acclimated to the heavyweight division after fighting at light heavyweight for so long?
Vassell: Yes! When I was light heavyweight, I would always stay about 230 [pounds]. And then I just bulked up to 250 for my heavyweight debut. I didnāt put into consideration that that was a lot of weight to put on. That was a lot to go into the fight with all the extra weight.
Me and my coaches went back, and we saw that I did good for the first two rounds, but you could see that the weight was an issue. So, we cut that back. I lost 10 pounds and came in at 240 to keep up with the cardio. Iām out swimming right now. Doing the right things to change it. I have a mindset coach as well that I have been working with for a number of years. Thatās a big part of the game as well. That cardio is key. It doesnāt matter what weight you are. I know the heavyweights usually donāt go the distance, but you still gotta be ready in case it does go the distance.
Zenger: You are a big guy, so you could sense that eventually you would have to move up to heavyweight. Do you feel like the timing was perfect for you to make the move?
Vassell: It really was. I lost a couple of fights at light heavyweight. The weight cut wasnāt easy either. So a couple of losses, weight cut wasnāt going great, so I figured I needed to try something new. I did so good at light heavyweight, but I couldnāt cut weight anymore, so it got to the point where itās like, letās make that move. I moved to heavyweight.
For me, itās a peace of mind not having to wake up and weigh myself to see if Iāve lost weight or check the scales to see if Iām too heavy and need to go for a run. You end up overtraining. I feel at heavyweight, you donāt overtrain. You do what you need to do and a little bit extra.
Zenger: Have you implemented weightlifting, or have you stayed away from that aspect of putting size and strength on?
Vassell: Itās just doing things the right way. Corey Peacock, our strength coach, doesnāt make us lift heavy anyway. Weāre doing reps from anything from five up to 12. So, itās not that one powerlift, itās like sets of 5 up to 12 rather than lifting heavy.
Zenger: The heavyweight champion Ryan Bader has business to handle in January against interim champion Valentin Moldavsky. Both of those guys hold a win over you. Iām sure you are eyeing a title shot at some point next year.
Vassell: One thousand percent. Obviously, I would like to be next, but I know how the business is. You have an interim champion and a champion; it makes sense for them to unify the title rather than have two champions. For me, I would like to fight again as soon as possible, by March. Win that fight and then line up next for a title fight.
It is what it is. I know things donāt always go as planned. I would like to be fighting next for the title, but I would fight someone else next and then fight the winner of Bader and Moldavsky.
Zenger: Do you have a preference in which loss you would like to avenge first for the title?
Vassell: I have unfinished business with both of them. Itās kind of like pick your poison, isnāt it? Either or, Iāve got to fight both of them again at some point.
Zenger: Do you feel like you are such a different fighter from the first time you fought those guys, or are there things you would change heading into a rematch with either?
Vassell: There is always things to change. I wouldnāt say I have all the answers. Definitely, Iām a totally different fighter then when I fought Bader in 2017 and Moldavsky in 2019. When I went into that fight, I came in at 250, and I was so slow. And I didnāt have the cardio either. And I still did a good job. It went the distance and he won on points. Itās going to be interesting when I finally get the rematch with either one of them. And I know theyāre watching me. Iām coming.
Zenger: You have been such a staple with Bellator. For them to stick with you through the ups and downs of your career, what does that mean to you?
Vassell: Itās good to know that Iām wanted. People do get released after theyāve had a couple of losses. They could have released me after my second loss, let alone three. Iām still with the company, and Iām grateful and thankful for them to still believe in me and keep me with a job. I felt like I have turned it around, and now 2022 will be my time.
Zenger: I have talked to fighters who said they were in a dark place after suffering consecutive losses, and some say they just had to work harder and change some things. Would you fit into either one of those categories or possibly both?
Vassell: I wouldnāt say dark, but I did sort of think about if this was for me. I actually thought, maybe Iām done. My best years are gone. I really did. So, I wouldnāt say so much of a dark place, but I did have a bit of a losing streak that made me question myself. I was doing certain things wrong. I know everyone goes through troubles and problems. It all comes together. Obviously, because now weāre here. I feel like Iāve found the right spot for me. The heavyweight division, my mindset, everything. Itās all in place.
Zenger: How much has this winning streak done for you from a confidence standpoint?
Vassell: Ohā¦ 10 times over. I was really confident; this has doubled that. Again, to beat Tyrell at his game, knowing everyone questioned if I could handle his wrestling, that was probably the biggest confidence booster. Not just beat him, it would be different if I just went in there and knocked him out. Thatās amazing, but it wasnāt the same as me out-grappling him. That was major for me.
Zenger: You want to return before and no later than March. Do you have an opponent in mind or just whoever Bellator lines up for you?
Vassell: Pretty much anyone. Iām hungry. I want the title fight with Bader or Moldavsky, so whoever they line me up against next, thatās who it is.
Edited by Kristen Butler and Judith Isacoff
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