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Linton Vassell Feels Disrespected Over Possibly Not Getting Bellator Title Shot

June 28, 2017 | Posted by Jeremy Thomas
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– Linton Vassell spoke with MMAjunkie following Scott Coker’s comments that he is considering Muhammed Lawal as Ryan Bader’s first light heavyweight title defense. Highlights are below:

On Bellator being interested in booking Ryan Bader against Muhammed Lawal: “They’re not being consistent. It just seems like no matter what you do, you win fights and you’re not going to get a title fight. I’m not a big name, but I’m winning the fights. I’m beating the people they put in front of me. I’m stopping former world champions. I’m finishing people who haven’t been finished in their lives. And on paper, it seems to make sense.”

On feeling disrespected by the decision: “I do feel disrespected. I feel like what I’ve done is not enough. Beating former world champions is not enough. If you’ve got a bigger name, then you’re going to get the fight – win or lose. No disrespect for Mo, but his recent record is win, loss, win, loss. When Scott was asked the question (about who was next), he didn’t even mention my name. He just said, ‘Yeah, Mo will be next in line.’”

On why he’d have a good shot against Bader: “I finish people – I’ve got a very high percentage in finishing fights. I’m a horrible matchup for Bader. I don’t think he can handle what I’ve got. I’m not your normal submission grappler. I’m an interesting striker. What I do works for me and people can’t stop me from doing it.”

On what he’ll do if he doesn’t get the shot: “If I’m passed up; I need to fight, I need to earn money. I can’t just sit on the sidelines while all these other guys are fighting and earning money. I need to fight and I want to fight. That’s why I’m gunning for this world title fight so much. I’ve earned it. If I get passed over, then yeah, I need to be fighting.”