Linton Vassell Moves to Heavyweight, Meets Valentin Moldavsky at Bellator 218

Former light heavyweight title challenger Linton Vassell is moving up a division to face Valentin Moldavsky at Bellator 218.

The California-based promotion recently announced the heavyweight pairing. Bellator 218 takes place on March 22 at Winstar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Okla., and is headlined by a featherweight clash pitting Emmanuel Sanchez against Ashleigh Grimshaw. Vassell vs. Moldavsky is expected to serve as the evening’s co-main event.

Vassell has twice challenged for 205-pound gold, losing to Emanuel Newton via fifth-round submission at Bellator 130 in 2014 and falling to Ryan Bader by second-round TKO at Bellator 186 in 2017. The 35-year-old Englishman is 7-4 under the Bellator banner and 18-7 as a professional overall.

Russia’s Moldavsky has been victorious in seven of his first eight professional bouts, including triumphs against Carl Seumanutafa and Ernest James under the Bellator banner. Moldavsky also went 3-1 during a stint with Rizin before signing with Bellator.

Former light heavyweight title challenger Linton Vassell is moving up a division to face Valentin Moldavsky at Bellator 218.