In less than a week’s time British light-heavyweight Linton ‘The Swarm’ Vassell will step out upon the field of battle at the Kansas Star Arena where he aims to become Britain’s first fighter to claim world championship glory under the banner of a major mixed martial arts promotion. On October 24, this Friday Vassell has the opportunity to further showcase the validity of Britain’s 205lb contenders. Fighting out of Northampton’s Blood Sweat & Tears (BST) MMA Academy, he takes on the USA’s Emanuel Newton for the Bellator Light-Heavyweight Championship. Vassell (14-3-1NC) caught the eye of US based promotion Bellator MMA in 2013 having littered the UK domestic scene with conquered opposition as the UCMMA Light-Heavyweight Champion. It could be said that the 31-year-old’s transition to Bellator was far from overstated, even from a British point of view; an easy-going character in himself, perhaps his presence was underestimated if not under the radar; however, onlookers soon took a step back and observed as ‘The Swarm’ engulfed and feasted upon each adversary, and having amassed three consecutive victories, Vassell received the message from Bellator with an invitation to contend for the light-heavyweight crown. “After I got the call I was sitting there thinking “Has this really happened?” I always knew I wanted to fight in a bigger organisation, when I got the call to fight in Bellator I was like “This is it now,” I thought I’m on the world stage and I can show people what I’m about. I didn’t expect to get where I’m at right now for a couple more fights, but obviously I’ve done the business already.” Victory would mark a tremendous point in history for UKMMA; Vassell would be the first British fighter to ever claim a major world championship while the last Brit to claim an international strap overseas was in 2010 when Ronnie Mann claimed the featherweight title of Shark Fights; a now defunct promotion who fell short establishing a respected moniker. “Me and my mates always talk about that,” Vassell explained. “You could be the first ever British champion,” and it’s something I’ve always said. In a way I knew it would happen at some point and I’d get to fight for the title, but to be the first is definitely going to make history.” Since he was last defeated back in 2010 Vassell has stacked together a 9-fight win streak en route to challenging for the Bellator championship. It’s always compelling to gain insight from an athlete like Vassell as to what took him from being a good but beatable prospect in 2010 to ‘finding himself’ as a fighter and evolving into the animal that he is today. “There’s a lot of things; There’s coaches, and different things like a new strength and conditioning coach; changing holes in my game that I had. I had a lot of things that I had to change in my game, and I did, it’s made me a much better fighter. Even training partners as well – high level training partners, and manager I should say. It’s a load of things that have come together and made me the complete fighter that I am now. “Before, I was taking short notice fights and not actually being ready in myself; you make these mistakes and that’s where you correct it, and I think you become a better fighter from losing.” Upon being questioned on his thoughts towards potentially becoming the UK’s first legitimate world champion, Vassell’s response was inspiritingly tranquil, yet confidently prophetic as he expressed the self-assured knowledge that he is now destined to become Britain’s first world champion, and that he intends to do so proudly as a representative of UKMMA. “To be honest I am [surprised]. I expected someone else to get it before me, but it’s all coming together. It seems surreal but everything happens for a reason, and it’s meant to be. “I definitely get inspiration, I don’t feel any added pressure; I’m doing this for all the Brits, all my friends, all my family, it’s for everyone, it’s definitely going to be one to watch.” [VIDEO] VASSELL TALKS BELLATOR TITLE FIGHT http://youtu.be/CldWkERdyaE At Bellator 130 Vassell takes on a champion in the form of Emanuel Newton (24-7-1). ‘The Hardcore Kid’ upset the apple cart last year with a spinning back fist knockout of hot favourite ‘King’ Mo Lawal, but followed up with a second victory over Lawal via unanimous decision to solidify his top contender status before establishing himself as the outright champion and a force to be reckoned with when snatching the undisputed crown from Attila Vegh at Bellator 113 on March 21. Standing 6-foot-4 inches tall, Vassell boasts an obvious size advantage in contrast to the 6-foot-1 Newton; However, once again, Vassell’s peaceful expression of all out belief and confidence in victory was on exhibit as he explained how no aspect of the current champion’s game is worth mentioning as a threat. “He’s very game; he’s no mug and he’s champion for a reason, but I think I can beat him in every department. “It did surprise me (Newton’s knockout of ‘King Mo’), but when you’ve got your hands down by your side it’s only a matter of time before you’re going to get knocked. Not to say [Newton] shouldn’t have won the fight, he meant to hit the punch, but I was surprised. “I don’t think he has anything that threatens me, I can beat him in every department. For me, I think I’ve got the size, strength, height, range, skills, and technique.” Bellator 130 takes place at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas, Oct. 24.
