Linton Vassell feels disrespected over apparent Bellator title snub: 'They're not being consistent'

Linton Vassell is not pleased with the apparent direction of the Bellator light heavyweight division after Ryan Bader claimed gold in the weight class at Bellator 180 this past weekend.

Vassell (18-5 MMA, 7-2 BMMA) believes he is the No. 1 contender to the belt, which Bader (23-5 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) took from Phil Davis by split decision at Bellator 180 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He said his Bellator 179 win against Liam McGeary (see highlights from that fight in the video above) in May was promoted as a fight that would determine the next title challenger, but since then the organization has changed its tune.

Following Bader’s win, Bellator President Scott Coker told MMAjunkie he was interested in booking “Darth” against Muhammed Lawal (21-6 MMA, 10-4 BMMA) for his first title defense. That news didn’t sit well with Vassell.

“They’re not being consistent,” Vassell told MMAjunkie. “It just seems like no matter what you do, you win fights and you’re not going to get a title fight. I’m not a big name, but I’m winning the fights. I’m beating the people they put in front of me. I’m stopping former world champions. I’m finishing people who haven’t been finished in their lives. And on paper, it seems to make sense.”

Vassell is riding a three-fight winning streak and has won four of his past five overall. He beat former Bellator 205-pound champions McGeary and Emanuel Newton during that stretch, but the lone blemish came in a fight with Lawal.

The bout with Lawal was nearly two years ago, though, and Vassell doesn’t think that should determine the order of who gets to fight Bader next. He’s rattled off three consecutive wins since the setback, while “King Mo” has gone 5-2, including a December knockout loss to Mirko Filipovic.

Vassell said he understands Lawal is the more prominent name in the sport, but said there should be some order in how decisions are made. He said his fight with McGeary was promoted as a No. 1 contenders match, and because of that, Bellator should deliver on its word to both himself and fans.

“I do feel disrespected,” Vassell said. “I feel like what I’ve done is not enough. Beating former world champions is not enough. If you’ve got a bigger name, then you’re going to get the fight – win or lose. No disrespect for Mo, but his recent record is win, loss, win, loss.

“When Scott was asked the question (about who was next), he didn’t even mention my name. He just said, ‘Yeah, Mo will be next in line.'”

The Bellator 180 title fight between Bader and Davis was a competitive affair that was narrowly decided on the scorecards. Vassell said he had Davis winning the fight, but doesn’t have many complaints about Bader’s position as champion.

One thing Vassell said he’s very confident in is his ability to produce an exciting fight. He believes his arsenal is more diverse than wrestling-based fighters like Bader, Davis and Lawal, and when it comes to the champion specifically, he views himself as a significant problem.

“I finish people – I’ve got a very high percentage in finishing fights,” Vassell said. “I’m a horrible matchup for Bader. I don’t think he can handle what I’ve got. I’m not your normal submission grappler. I’m an interesting striker. What I do works for me and people can’t stop me from doing it.”

Vassell described his current attitude toward Bellator as “not happy at all,” and more than anything he just wants answers. Fortunately, he hasn’t been on the sidelines long. His win over McGeary came a little more than a month prior to Bellator 180, but he said he would like the organization to be definitive about what comes next.

He said he hopes his comments serve as a reminder of the assurances made and Bellator will do right by him. However, he said it is difficult to do much beyond that. Vassell said he’s not in the position to sit on the sidelines out of protest until he gets what he wants, but unless Bellator wants a disgruntled athlete, thinks his next fight should be for the gold.

“If I’m passed up; I need to fight, I need to earn money,” Vassell said. “I can’t just sit on the sidelines while all these other guys are fighting and earning money. I need to fight and I want to fight. That’s why I’m gunning for this world title fight so much. I’ve earned it. If I get passed over, then yeah, I need to be fighting.”

For more on Bellator’s upcoming schedule, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.