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.