SAN JOSE, Calif. – Linton Vassell knew a shot at redemption against Valentin Moldavsky would come some day.
Moldavsky (11-2 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) beat Vassell (23-8 MMA, 11-5 BMMA) with a unanimous decision in March 2019 to extend Vassell’s career-worst slump to three fights on the heels of knockout setbacks to Phil Davis and Ryan Bader at light heavyweight. Vassell moved to heavyweight, and Moldavsky outworked him for a rude welcome to the division.
But then Vassell started going on a tear, and after knockouts of Sergei Kharitonov, Ronny Markes and Timothy Johnson and a decision win over the highly touted Tyrell Fortune, he finds himself on the cusp of a title shot if he can avenge one of his losses at Bellator 292, where he and Moldavsky rematch on the main card.
“I don’t like to lose,” Moldavsky told MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s media day for Bellator 292. “Once I’ve lost against like a person, I put every single thing into the rematch. I try and cover all my mistakes that I did and correct them. I felt like when I lost against Moldavsky the first time, I went back and I changed – the mistakes that I made (were made) just to make myself a better person.
“I knew at some point, I was going to fight him again. So we are here now. It’s time to show what I’ve actually worked on and what I’ve changed, and now what’s going to work in the fight.”
A win over Moldavsky almost certainly would net Vassell a shot at heavyweight champ Bader – which would mean another shot at redemption. Bader beat him in a light heavyweight title bout in 2017.
Vassell said he knows he needs to take one step at a time, but he sees the big picture.
“It’s crazy to think that that’s where we are right now,” Vassell said. Obviously (I have) unfinished business with both of them. That’s the perfect scenario: What I’m planning to do is beat Moldavsky, beat Bader, become world champion.
“But now I’ve just got to go in there and deal with Moldavsky first. I can’t look past him. Then we’ll go to the next one after that.”
Bellator 292 takes place Friday at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Check out Vassell’s full media day interview in the video above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 292.
