Linton Vassell (born 3 June 1983) is an English

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorp ...

, who competes in the

Heavyweight Heavyweight is a weight class in combat sports and professional wrestling. Boxing Professional Boxers who weigh over are considered heavyweights by 3 of the 4 major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the Wo ...

division of Bellator. A professional since 2008, he has also competed for

UCMMA Ultimate Challenge MMA (also referred to as UCMMA) is a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United Kingdom. It is shown live on London Live in the UK, Fight Now TV in the US and on Viewster in several other countries. History The collapse ...

and

Cage Warriors Cage Warriors (CW) is an Irish owned mixed martial arts promotion, based in London, England. The promotion was established in 2001 and staged its first MMA event in London in July, 2002. Many MMA stars have made their names under the Cage Warrio ...

. He is the former UCMMA Light Heavyweight Champion. As of May 10, 2022, he is #2 in the Bellator Heavyweight Rankings.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Vassell started training in mixed martial arts at the age of 23 in 2007 in

Milton Keynes Milton Keynes ( ) is a city and the largest settlement in Buckinghamshire, England, about north-west of London. At the 2021 Census, the population of its urban area was over . The River Great Ouse forms its northern boundary; a tributary ...

. 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. Vassell fought Stav Economou to a decision loss for the vacant UWC Heavyweight Championship. After winning his next fight, he went to

where he meet Simon Carlsen, he defeated Carlsen by decision at

41. After winning two fights on UCMMA he went on to win the UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship.

UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship reign

On 4 February 2012, Vassell defeated Aurelijus Kerpe to become the new

Light Heavyweight Champion which was made vacant after

Jimi Manuwa Babajimi Abiola "Jimi" Manuwa (born 18 February 1980) is an American-born English retired mixed martial artist of Nigerian descent who competed in the light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Early life Manuwa was bor ...

signed to

BAMMA BAMMA (British Association of Mixed Martial Arts) was a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United Kingdom. It premiered on June 27, 2009, and was shown on the television channel Bravo. BAMMA events were shown live on ITV4 in the UK and Ire ...

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

Bellator MMA

On 7 August 2013 Bellator announced that Vassell has signed a contract with the promotion. He made his debut against Matt Jones on 8 November 2013 at

Bellator 107 2013 in Bellator MMA was the eighth installment of the Bellator MMA, which began on January 17, 2013 and ended on April 4, 2013. Mixed martial arts tournaments were held in five weight classes and all of the champions, except the heavyweight ch ...

. Vassell won the fight via unanimous decision. Vassell returned to the Bellator cage on 28 March 2014 at

Bellator 114 2014 in Bellator MMA was the tenth season for Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion. It began on February 28, 2014 and aired on Spike TV. The season included tournaments for the Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, Light Heavyweight ...

, he faced Trevor Carlson. Vassell won via rear-naked choke submission in the second round. In his next appearance for Bellator, Vassell faced

Virgil Zwicker Virgil Zwicker, (born June 26, 1982), is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2003, Zwicker has formerly competed for Bellator MMA, Strikeforce and KSW. Ba ...

Bellator 122 2014 in Bellator MMA was the tenth season for Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion. It began on February 28, 2014 and aired on Spike TV. The season included tournaments for the Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, Light Heavyweight, ...

on 25 July 2014. Vassell won via submission in the first round. Vassell challenged

Emanuel Newton Emanuel Newton (born February 1, 1984) is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in Bellator's Light Heavyweight division, where he is a former Bellator Light Heavyweight World Champion. He has also competed for WEC, King of the ...

for his light heavyweight title at

Bellator 130 2014 in Bellator MMA was the tenth season for Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion. It began on February 28, 2014 and aired on Spike TV. The season included tournaments for the Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, Light Heavyweight, ...

on 24 October 2014. 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 Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou Nkamhoua (; born April 18, 1984), mostly billed simply as Sokoudjou, is a Cameroonian professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2006, Sokoudjou is the former KSW Light Heavyweight Champion, and h ...

on 27 February 2015 at

Bellator 134 2015 in Bellator MMA was the seventh year in the history of Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. Bellator held 16 events in 2015. Background In June 2014, Founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney parted with the company. ...

. 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. He faced

Muhammed Lawal Oklahoma State Cowboys Central Oklahoma Bronchos Muhammed Lawal (born January 11, 1981), also known as "King Mo", is an American professional wrestler and retired mixed martial artist currently signed to Major League Wr ...

in the opening round and lost via unanimous decision. Vassell had a rematch with

on 19 February 2016 at

Bellator 149 2016 in Bellator MMA was the eighth year in the history of Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promoter based in the United States. Bellator held 23 events in 2016. Background 2016 is notable for the launch of sibling promotion Bellator Kickboxi ...

. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Vassell was supposed to fight

Francis Carmont Francis Carmont (born October 10, 1981) is a French professional mixed martial artist who last competed in the Light Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2004, Carmont has competed for Bellator MMA, the UFC, and KSW. Mixed mart ...

Bellator 158 2016 in Bellator MMA was the eighth year in the history of Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promoter based in the United States. Bellator held 23 events in 2016. Background 2016 is notable for the launch of sibling promotion Bellator Kickboxi ...

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

Liam McGeary Liam McGeary (born 4 October 1982) is an English professional mixed martial artist who competed in Bellator's Light Heavyweight division. He is a former Bellator Light Heavyweight World Champion. Mixed martial arts career Early career McGe ...

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. After a three-fight winning streak, Vassell faced newly crowned light heavyweight champion,

Ryan Bader Arizona State Sun Devils Ryan DuWayne Bader (born June 7, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist currently signed to Bellator MMA where he is the current Bellator Heavyweight Champion, the former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion, a ...

, at Bellator 186 on 3 November 2017. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round. Vassell faced Phil Davis on 25 May 2018 at Bellator 200. He lost the fight via knock out due to a head kick in round three. Vassell faced

Valentin Moldavsky Valentin Igorevich Moldavsky (russian: Валенти́н И́горевич Молда́вский; born 6 February 1992) is a Russian mixed martial artist and combat sambo practitioner. He is currently signed to Bellator MMA, where he is a fo ...

on March 22, 2019 at Bellator 218, where he lost by unanimous decision. Vassell headlined Bellator 234 against

Sergei Kharitonov Sergei Valerievich Kharitonov (russian: Серге́й Вале́рьевич Харито́нов, Sergéj Valér'jevich Kharitónov, ; born August 18, 1980) is a Russian professional heavyweight mixed martial artist and former kick ...

on 14 November 2019. He won the fight via TKO in the second round. Vassell faced

Ronny Markes Ronny Markes (born April 21, 1988), is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2007, Markes has formerly competed for the UFC, King of the Cage, PFL, Bellator MMA, and M-1 ...

at Bellator 254 on 10 December 2020. He won the fight via TKO in the second round. Vassell was expected to face

Marcelo Golm Marcelo Golm (born 15 September 1992) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division of the Bellator MMA. He has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of November 22, 2022, he is #7 in the ...

on July 16, 2021 at Bellator 262. On July 12, the bout was scratched after Vassell suffered an injury. Vassell faced Tyrell Fortune on November 12, 2021 at Bellator 271. In a highly competitive affair, Vassell won the bout via split decision. 5 out of 6 media scores gave it to Vassell.\ Vassell faced Timothy Johnson on April 15, 2022 at

Bellator 277 ''Bellator 277: McKee vs. Pitbull 2'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on April 15, 2022, at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, United States. Background The event was headlined by a rematch between ...

. After getting rocked early, Vassell completed the comeback and won the bout via TKO at the end of the first. After the victory, Vassell signed a new 6 bout deal. Vassell is scheduled to rematch

on March 10, 2023 at

Bellator 292 ''Bellator 292: Nurmagomedov vs. Henderson'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on March 10, 2023, at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, United States. Background To kick off the $1 million Bellator L ...

Championships and Accomplishments

*Olympian MMA Championships **OMMAC British Light Heavyweight Championship (One Time) *

Ultimate Challenge MMA Ultimate Challenge MMA (also referred to as UCMMA) is a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United Kingdom. It is shown live on London Live in the UK, Fight Now TV in the US and on Viewster in several other countries. History The collapse ...

**UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship (One Time)

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Win , align=center, 22–8 (1) , Timothy Johnson , TKO (punches) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:21 ,

San Jose, California San Jose, officially San José (; ; ), is a major city in the U.S. state of California that is the cultural, financial, and political center of Silicon Valley and largest city in Northern California by both population and area. With a 2020 popul ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 21–8 (1) , Tyrell Fortune , Decision (split) , Bellator 271 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Hollywood, Florida Hollywood is a city in southern Broward County, Florida, United States, located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. As of July 1, 2019, Hollywood had a population of 154,817. Founded in 1925, the city grew rapidly in the 1950s and 1960s, and is now ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 20–8 (1) ,

, TKO (punches) , Bellator 254 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:37 ,

Uncasville, Connecticut Uncasville is an area in the New England town, town of Montville, Connecticut, Montville, Connecticut, United States. It is a Administrative divisions of Connecticut#Village, neighborhood, section of town, village in southeastern Montville, at the ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 19–8 (1) ,

, TKO (punches) , Bellator 234 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:15 ,

Tel Aviv Tel Aviv-Yafo ( he, תֵּל־אָבִיב-יָפוֹ, translit=Tēl-ʾĀvīv-Yāfō ; ar, تَلّ أَبِيب – يَافَا, translit=Tall ʾAbīb-Yāfā, links=no), often referred to as just Tel Aviv, is the most populous city in the G ...

, Israel , , - , Loss , align=center, 18–8 (1) ,

, Decision (unanimous) , Bellator 218 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Thackerville, Oklahoma Thackerville is a town in Love County, Oklahoma. It is located in South Central Oklahoma. The population was 445 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Ardmore, Oklahoma Micropolitan Statistical Area. Geography Thackerville is located at (33. ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 18–7 (1) , Phil Davis , KO (head kick) , Bellator 200 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:05 ,

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

, England , , - , Loss , align=center, 18–6 (1) ,

, TKO (punches) , Bellator 186 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:58 ,

University Park, Pennsylvania University Park (also referred to as Penn State University Park) is the name given to the Pennsylvania State University's main campus located in both State College and College Township, Pennsylvania, United States. The campus post office was de ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 18–5 (1) ,

, Submission (arm-triangle choke) , Bellator 179 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 2:28 ,

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 17–5 (1) ,

, Decision (unanimous) , Bellator 165 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 16–5 (1) ,

, Decision (unanimous) ,

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Houston, Texas Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 in ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 15–5 (1) ,

, Decision (unanimous) , Bellator 142: Dynamite 1 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 15–4 (1) ,

Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou Nkamhoua (; born April 18, 1984), mostly billed simply as Sokoudjou, is a Cameroonian professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2006, Sokoudjou is the former KSW Light Heavyweight Champion, and h ...

, TKO (punches) ,

, , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:18 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 14–4 (1) ,

, Submission (rear-naked choke) ,

, , align=center, 5 , align=center, 0:47 ,

Mulvane, Kansas Mulvane is a city in Sedgwick and Sumner counties in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 6,286. History Mulvane was laid out in 1879 at the junction of five Santa Fe rail lines. It is named for ...

, United States , For the

Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship Bellator MMA (formerly known as "Bellator Fighting Championships") is an American mixed martial arts promotion, and the following is a history of its champions in each weight class. At the time of its inception in 2008, CEO Bjorn Rebney founded ...

, - , Win , align=center, 14–3 (1) ,

, Submission (rear-naked choke) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:07 ,

Temecula, California Temecula (; es, Temécula, ; Luiseño: ''Temeekunga'') is a city in southwestern Riverside County, California, United States. The city had a population of 110,003 as of the 2020 census and was incorporated on December 1, 1989. The city is a t ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 13–3 (1) , Trevor Carlson , Submission (rear-naked choke) ,

, , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:54 ,

Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake City (often shortened to Salt Lake and abbreviated as SLC) is the Capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Utah, most populous city of Utah, United States. It is the county seat, seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, Sal ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 12–3 (1) , Matt Jones , Decision (unanimous) ,

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 11–3 (1) , Zelg Galešic , TKO (punches) , UCMMA 32 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:31 , England , Defended UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship. , - , Win , align=center, 10–3 (1) , Nick Chapman , Submission (rear-naked choke) , UCMMA 29 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:55 ,

, England , Defended UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship. , - , Win , align=center, 9–3 (1) , Aurelijus Kerpe , Submission (armbar) , UCMMA 26: The Real Deal , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:16 ,

, England , Won UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship. , - , Win , align=center, 8–3 (1) , Zsolt Balla , TKO (punches) , UWC 17: Bad to the Bone , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:09 ,

Essex Essex () is a county in the East of England. One of the home counties, it borders Suffolk and Cambridgeshire to the north, the North Sea to the east, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent across the estuary of the River Thames to the south, and G ...

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 7–3 (1) , Simon Carlsen , Decision (unanimous) , Cage Warriors: 41 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 6–3 (1) , Rolandas Cizauskas , TKO (punches) , UCMMA 18: Face Off , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:21 ,

, England , , - , Loss , align=center, 5–3 (1) , Matti Mäkelä , TKO (punches) , SC 6: Lion's Den , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 4:10 ,

Stockholm Stockholm () is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, largest city of Sweden as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people liv ...

, Sweden , , - , NC , align=center, 5–2 (1) , Adrian Preda , No Contest , UCMMA 16: Unbelievable , , align=center, 1 , align=center, N/A ,

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 5–2 , Kevin Thompson , Submission (rear-naked choke) , OMMAC 5: Showdown , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:21 ,

Liverpool Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. With a population of in 2019, it is the 10th largest English district by population and its metropolitan area is the fifth largest in the United Kingdom, with a popul ...

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 4–2 , Nick Nembherd , TKO (punches) , UWC 12: Revolution , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:49 ,

, England , , - , Loss , align=center, 3–2 , Stav Economou , Decision (unanimous) , UWC 11: Onslaught , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 3–1 , Svajunas Siacuila , Submission (americana) , UWC 10 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:48 ,

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 2-1 , Reza Mahdavian , TKO (punches) , UWC 9 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:35 ,

, England , , - , Loss , align=center, 1–1 , Shola Adeniran , TKO (punches) , UWC 8: Vendetta , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:43 ,

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Chris Greig , Submission (rear-naked choke) , FX3: Fight Night 9 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:19 ,

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, England ,

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Vassell, Linton Living people Black British sportspeople English male mixed martial artists Light heavyweight mixed martial artists 1983 births