Linton Vassell

Linton Vassell (born 3 June 1983) is an English mixed martial artist, who competes in the Heavyweight division of Bellator.[2] A professional since 2008, he has also competed for UCMMA and Cage Warriors. He is the former UCMMA Light Heavyweight Champion. As of March 14, 2023, he is #1 in the Bellator Heavyweight Rankings.[3]

Linton Vassell
Born (1983-06-03) 3 June 1983
Milton Keynes, England
Other namesThe Swarm
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight239 lb (108 kg; 17 st 1 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Reach82 in (208 cm)
Fighting out ofMilton Keynes, England
TeamBST Academy[1]
Hard Knocks 365
Years active2008–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total32
Wins23
By knockout10
By submission8
By decision5
Losses8
By knockout4
By submission1
By decision3
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Last updated on: 27 February 2012

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Vassell started training in mixed martial arts at the age of 23 in 2007 in Milton Keynes. After training for six months he won his first amateur fight against opponent Ian Tobell in October 2007, three weeks later he was fighting for the AMMA Championship Title against Danny Hudson, a fight he won by submission.[4]

Vassell fought Stav Economou to a decision loss for the vacant UWC Heavyweight Championship.[5]

After winning his next fight, he went to Cage Warriors where he meet Simon Carlsen, he defeated Carlsen by decision at Cage Warriors 41.[6]

After winning two fights on UCMMA he went on to win the UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship.[7]

UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship reign

On 4 February 2012, Vassell defeated Aurelijus Kerpe to become the new UCMMA Light Heavyweight Champion which was made vacant after Jimi Manuwa signed to BAMMA.[8]

He successfully defended his title for the first time when he defeated Nick Chapman by submission early into the second round.[9]

Linton Vassell fought Zelg Galesic for UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship on 2 February 2013. Zelg opened the fight with impressive striking, but Vassell moved the fight on the ground where he dominated Galesic and won the fight by first-round TKO to retain the UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship.

BAMMA

Vassell was scheduled to face Jason Jones at BAMMA 11, but had to pull out due to injury.[10]

Bellator MMA

On 7 August 2013 Bellator announced that Vassell has signed a contract with the promotion.[11] He made his debut against Matt Jones on 8 November 2013 at Bellator 107. Vassell won the fight via unanimous decision.[12]

Vassell returned to the Bellator cage on 28 March 2014 at Bellator 114, he faced Trevor Carlson. Vassell won via rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[13]

In his next appearance for Bellator, Vassell faced Virgil Zwicker at Bellator 122 on 25 July 2014. Vassell won via submission in the first round.[14]

Vassell challenged Emanuel Newton for his light heavyweight title at Bellator 130 on 24 October 2014.[15] Despite winning the first two rounds of the fight due to a dominant ground game, Vassell lost the fight via submission in the fifth round.

Vassell faced UFC and PRIDE veteran Sokoudjou on 27 February 2015 at Bellator 134.[16] He won the fight by TKO in the second round.

Vassell was next a participant in Bellator's one-night Light Heavyweight tournament at Bellator MMA & Glory: Dynamite 1 on 19 September 2015.[17] He faced Muhammed Lawal in the opening round and lost via unanimous decision.

Vassell had a rematch with Emanuel Newton on 19 February 2016 at Bellator 149.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Vassell was supposed to fight Francis Carmont at Bellator 158 but a cut over his left eye forced him to withdraw.[19] The bout was re-booked for Bellator 165 on 19 November 2016. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Vassell faced Liam McGeary at Bellator 179 on 19 May 2017. He won the fight via arm-triangle choke submission in the third round and, thus, becoming the first fighter to finish McGeary.[20]

After a three-fight winning streak, Vassell faced newly crowned light heavyweight champion, Ryan Bader, at Bellator 186 on 3 November 2017.[21] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

Vassell faced Phil Davis on 25 May 2018 at Bellator 200.[22] He lost the fight via knock out due to a head kick in round three.[23]

Vassell faced Valentin Moldavsky on March 22, 2019 at Bellator 218, where he lost by unanimous decision.[24]

Vassell headlined Bellator 234 against Sergei Kharitonov on 14 November 2019.[25] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Vassell faced Ronny Markes at Bellator 254 on 10 December 2020.[26] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.[27]

Vassell was expected to face Marcelo Golm on July 16, 2021 at Bellator 262.[28] On July 12, the bout was scratched after Vassell suffered an injury.[29][30]

Vassell faced Tyrell Fortune on November 12, 2021 at Bellator 271.[31] In a highly competitive affair, Vassell won the bout via split decision.[32] 5 out of 6 media scores gave it to Vassell.[33]\

Vassell faced Timothy Johnson on April 15, 2022 at Bellator 277.[34] After getting rocked early, Vassell completed the comeback and won the bout via TKO at the end of the first.[35]

After the victory, Vassell signed a new 6 bout deal.[36]

Vassell rematched Valentin Moldavsky on March 10, 2023 at Bellator 292.[37] He won the bout in the first round, dropping Moldavsky and knocking him out with elbows from mount.[38]

Vassell was scheduled to face reigning champion Ryan Bader in a rematch for the Bellator Heavyweight Championship on 7 October 2023, at Bellator 300.[39] However, Vassell withdrew a few days before the event due to illness and the bout was cancelled.[40]

Championships and Accomplishments
  • Olympian MMA Championships
    • OMMAC British Light Heavyweight Championship (One Time)
  • Ultimate Challenge MMA
    • UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship (One Time)

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
32 matches 23 wins 8 losses
By knockout 10 4
By submission 8 1
By decision 5 3
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 23–8 (1) Valentin Moldavsky KO (punches and elbows) Bellator 292 10 March 2023 1 3:03 San Jose, California, United States
Win 22–8 (1) Timothy Johnson TKO (punches) Bellator 277 15 April 2022 1 4:21 San Jose, California, United States
Win 21–8 (1) Tyrell Fortune Decision (split) Bellator 271 12 November 2021 3 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win 20–8 (1) Ronny Markes TKO (punches) Bellator 254 10 December 2020 2 3:37 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 19–8 (1) Sergei Kharitonov TKO (punches) Bellator 234 15 November 2019 2 3:15 Tel Aviv, Israel
Loss 18–8 (1) Valentin Moldavsky Decision (unanimous) Bellator 218 22 March 2019 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Return to Heavyweight.
Loss 18–7 (1) Phil Davis KO (head kick) Bellator 200 25 May 2018 3 1:05 London, England
Loss 18–6 (1) Ryan Bader TKO (punches) Bellator 186 3 November 2017 2 3:58 University Park, Pennsylvania, United States For the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship.
Win 18–5 (1) Liam McGeary Submission (arm-triangle choke) Bellator 179 19 May 2017 3 2:28 London, England
Win 17–5 (1) Francis Carmont Decision (unanimous) Bellator 165 19 November 2016 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States
Win 16–5 (1) Emanuel Newton Decision (unanimous) Bellator 149 19 February 2016 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Loss 15–5 (1) Muhammed Lawal Decision (unanimous) Bellator 142: Dynamite 1 19 September 2015 2 5:00 San Jose, California, United States Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 15–4 (1) Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou TKO (punches) Bellator 134 27 February 2015 2 3:18 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 14–4 (1) Emanuel Newton Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 130 24 October 2014 5 0:47 Mulvane, Kansas, United States For the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship
Win 14–3 (1) Virgil Zwicker Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 122 25 July 2014 1 1:07 Temecula, California, United States
Win 13–3 (1) Trevor Carlson Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 114 28 March 2014 2 1:54 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Win 12–3 (1) Matt Jones Decision (unanimous) Bellator 107 8 November 2013 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 11–3 (1) Zelg Galešic TKO (punches) UCMMA 32 2 February 2013 1 4:31 England Defended UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 10–3 (1) Nick Chapman Submission (rear-naked choke) UCMMA 29 18 August 2012 2 0:55 London, England Defended UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 9–3 (1) Aurelijus Kerpe Submission (armbar) UCMMA 26: The Real Deal 4 February 2012 1 3:16 London, England Won UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 8–3 (1) Zsolt Balla TKO (punches) UWC 17: Bad to the Bone 8 October 2011 1 2:09 Essex, England
Win 7–3 (1) Simon Carlsen Decision (unanimous) Cage Warriors: 41 24 April 2011 3 5:00 London, England
Win 6–3 (1) Rolandas Cizauskas TKO (punches) UCMMA 18: Face Off 5 February 2011 1 4:21 London, England
Loss 5–3 (1) Matti Mäkelä TKO (punches) SC 6: Lion's Den 29 October 2010 3 4:10 Stockholm, Sweden
NC 5–2 (1) Adrian Preda No Contest UCMMA 16: Unbelievable 23 October 2010 1 N/A London, England Accidental Eye Poke.
Win 5–2 Kevin Thompson Submission (rear-naked choke) OMMAC 5: Showdown 5 June 2010 1 4:21 Liverpool, England Won OMMAC British Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 4–2 Nick Nembherd TKO (punches) UWC 12: Revolution 20 March 2010 1 2:49 Essex, England
Loss 3–2 Stav Economou Decision (unanimous) UWC 11: Onslaught 28 November 2009 3 5:00 Essex, England For the Ultimate Warrior Challenge Heavyweight Championship.
Win 3–1 Svajunas Siacuila Submission (americana) UWC 10 28 June 2009 1 0:48 Essex, England
Win 2–1 Reza Mahdavian TKO (punches) UWC 9 22 March 2009 1 2:35 Essex, England
Loss 1–1 Shola Adeniran TKO (punches) UWC 8: Vendetta 8 November 2008 3 3:43 Essex, England
Win 1–0 Chris Greig Submission (rear-naked choke) FX3: Fight Night 9 13 September 2008 1 3:19 Reading, England

See also

References
  1. Jorden Curran (22 October 2014). "Linton Vassell Is Ready To Claim The Bellator Crown & Conquer Emanuel Newton: "I'm doing this for all the Brits"". mmaplus.co.uk.
  2. Sherdog.com. "Linton Vassell MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
  3. "Bellator Rankings". www.bellator.com. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  4. Linton Vassell. "Linton 'The Swarm' Vassell". LintonVassell.com. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012.
  5. Ultimate Warrior Challenge. "Crazy Bear British Champion". UltimateWarriorChallenge.co.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  6. Addicted MMA. "Cage Warriors 41 Results". AddictedMMA.com. Archived from the original on 7 May 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  7. Jenson. "UCMMA 26 Card "Unbelievable" Event Results". MMAMail.com. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  8. The Fight Lounge. "UCMMA 26: The Real Deal results". TheFightLounge.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  9. "UCMMA 29 Results Addicted MMA Mixed martial arts". AddictedMMA.tv. 21 August 2012. Archived from the original on 21 August 2012.
  10. "BAMMA 11 UPDATE: LINTON VASSELL INJURED, PROMOTION SEEKS NEW FOE FOR JASON JONES". Sherdog.com. 23 November 2012.
  11. MMAjunkie Staff (8 August 2013). "Bellator signs Wolfslair fighters Peter Graham, Gavin Sterritt, Linton Vassell". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  12. "Linton Vassell vs. Matt Jones". sherdog.com. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  13. Dann Stupp (28 March 2014). "Bellator 114 results: Alexander Shlemenko defends title, notches win No. 50". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  14. MMAjunkie Staff (25 July 2014). "Bellator 122 results: Koreshkov dominates McDonough to earn welterweight title shot". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  15. MMAjunkie Staff (30 September 2014). "Emanuel Newton headlines Bellator 130 in title tilt with Linton Vassell". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  16. "Bellator 134 Fight Card". bellator.com. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  17. Michael Stets (19 June 2015). "Bellator 'Dynamite' to feature title fight, one-night light heavyweight tourney, and GLORY kickboxing in San Jose". mmamania.com. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  18. "Bellator books Royce Gracie vs. Ken Shamrock 3, 'Kimbo' vs. 'Dada 5000' for Houston - MMAjunkie". MMAjunkie.
  19. Critchfield, Tristen (5 July 2016). "LINTON VASSELL INJURED; FRANCIS CARMONT GETS NEW OPPONENT AT BELLATOR 158". sherdog.com. Sherdog.
  20. Staff (19 May 2017). "Bellator 179 results: Rory MacDonald dominates Paul Daley for first win since 2014". mmajunkie.com.
  21. Nick Baldwin (17 August 2017). "Ryan Bader vs. Linton Vassell title fight headlines Bellator 186". bloodyelbow.com.
  22. "Phil Davis vs. Linton Vassell booked for Bellator 200 in May". MMAjunkie. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  23. "VIDEO: Phil Davis vs. Linton Vassell ends with highlight-reel finish". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  24. Anderson, Jay (22 March 2019). "Bellator 218 Results: Valentin Moldavsky Outlasts Linton Vassell For Decision Win". Cageside Press. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  25. Nolan King (2 September 2019). "Sergei Kharitonov vs. Linton Vassell, Huerta, Vanderford, Gozali father-son, more set for Bellator 234". mmajunkie.com.
  26. Danny Segura (30 November 2020). "Linton Vassell vs. Ronny Markes, Cody Law vs. Kenny Champion added to Bellator 254". MMAjunkie.com.
  27. Steve Juon (10 December 2020). "Bellator 254 results: Live streaming play-by-play updates | 'Macfarlane vs Velasquez'". mmamania.com.
  28. "Matt Mitrione-Tyrell Fortune, Linton Vassell-Marcelo Golm among Bellator 262 additions". MMA Junkie. 17 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  29. "Bellator 262 loses Marcelo Golm vs. Linton Vassell, gains a preliminary card fight". MMA Junkie. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  30. Cruz, Guilherme (13 July 2021). "Linton Vassell vs. Marcelo Golm off of Bellator 262". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  31. "Heavyweights Tyrell Fortune, Linton Vassell to fight at Bellator 271 in Miami". MMA Junkie. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  32. Anderson, Jay (12 November 2021). "Bellator 271: Linton Vassell Beats Tyrell Fortune In Highly Competitive Affair". Cageside Press. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  33. "Linton Vassell def. Tyrell Fortune :: Bellator 271 :: MMA Decisions". www.mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  34. "Bellator shuffles things up, splits Tyrell Fortune vs. Tim Johnson rematch into two contender fights". MMA Junkie. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  35. Anderson, Jay (15 April 2022). "Bellator 277: Linton Vassell Rocked Early, Mounts Comeback Against Tim Johnson". Cageside Press. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  36. Mogan, Tony (2 June 2022). "Linton Vassell signs new Bellator deal to set up title shot against Ryan Bader". Metro. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  37. King, Nolan (18 January 2023). "Bellator 292 adds return of Keri Taylor-Melendez, Valentin Moldavsky vs. Linton Vassell rematch". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  38. Anderson, Jay (10 March 2023). "Bellator 292: Linton Vassell Gets Revenge on Moldavsky, Earns Number One Contender Status". Cageside Press. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  39. Guillen Jr, Adam (9 August 2023). "Bellator 300 set with four title fights featuring Ryan Bader, Cris Cyborg and Usman Nurmagomedov". SBNation. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  40. Wagenheim, Jeff (3 October 2023). "Linton Vassell out of Bellator 300 title bout due to illness". SBNation. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
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