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.