Linton Vassell Likely Next in Line for Bellator MMA Heavyweight Title Shot

While Daniel James is turning heads in the Bellator heavyweight division with his considerable knockout power, he’ll likely have to wait if a title shot is his main desire.

Promotion head Scott Coker confirmed at the Bellator 293 post-fight press conference that Linton Vassell is likely the No. 1 contender in the heavyweight division, which presumably sets up a rematch with reigning champ Ryan Bader at a future event. James, meanwhile, earned his fifth straight professional triumph in the Bellator 293 headliner with a third round stoppage of Marcelo Golm at the Pechanga Casino & Resort in Temecula, California, on Friday night.

“The title shot is most likely going to go to Linton Vassell, because he’s been on a tear or two,” Coker said. ” But I think [James] is right up there. We definitely will invite him to come fight [at Bellator 297] in Chicago.”

Vassell and Bader initially fought for the light heavyweight crown at Bellator 186. Bader defended his belt with a second-round technical knockout in the November 2017 contest. Vassell is currently in the midst of a five-bout Bellator winning streak since moving up from 205 pounds. A date for Bader-Vassell heavyweight title bout has not been announced.