Presumed next in line for title shot, Linton Vassell can't pick between Phil Davis, Ryan Bader

With a dominant submission win over former champ Liam McGeary this past Friday at Bellator 179 in London, Linton Vassell quite likely cemented himself as the next in line for the light heavyweight title.

Champion Phil Davis (17-3 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) will defend his title, which he beat McGeary to win, against Ryan Bader (22-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) next month at Bellator 180, a Spike-televised card that will take place ahead of the “Bellator: NYC” pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It’s a rematch from a UFC on FOX 14 fight that Bader took by split decision in January 2015.

Vassell (18-5-1, 7-2 BMMA) believes he should get a shot at the winner, and he’ll be cageside in New York scouting, naturally, after his win over McGeary (12-2, 9-2 BMMA) at The SSE Arena in London.

“I’m definitely going to that,” Vassell told MMAjunkie Radio. “If I have to, I’ll go in the cage and call out the champion. But I’m going to be there, 100 percent. I’m not going to miss that. It’s a stacked card, but obviously I’m going for the light heavyweight title fight. That’s what I’ve got my eyes on. I’ll be there in person.”

The decision to head to “The Big Apple” may have been an easy one. But when it comes to picking a winner, Vassell finds things a little more difficult. He believes Davis might be the favorite, but he thinks using their first matchup as a starting-off point doesn’t help matters much.

“I can’t pick a winner,” he said. “Bader won the first fight, but it wasn’t very entertaining. There wasn’t much going on. But Davis has been very, very active, and obviously has been on a tear. The favor looks like it’s for Davis, but I can’t really pick a winner.”

If he is next in line – and according to Vassell, Bellator President Scott Coker said he is, though nothing is definitive – there’s a good chance he’ll be an underdog. Again.

Being overlooked is something the Brit says he’s gotten used to by now. McGeary was a 2-1 favorite at Bellator 179, but Vassell handled him with ease. That’s something current champ Davis wasn’t able to do when he beat McGeary.

“I’m always the underdog and I like to prove people wrong,” Vassell said. “Obviously, some people think that I’m not as good as I actually am, so for me to get the win was that much sweeter. And to get the finish, that’s why I was smiling so much. I’ve had a few losses, but I’ve only had two losses in Bellator. They’re against big names. But it’s not like I’ve been getting knocked out – (my losses have) been close fights. I learn from my mistakes, but I’ve definitely been overlooked.

“My agent is speaking to them (about my next fight). But three solid victories I’ve had. This one obviously trumps the other two because I got the finish, as well. The champion couldn’t finish him in five rounds – I finished him. I should get the title fight. Scott did mention I was next, but we’ll see. I’m gunning for the title. I should be next in line.”

For more on Bellator 179, check out the MMA Events section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.