Linton Vassell feels that with the current state of the light heavyweight division, introducing an interim title would be warranted.

When it comes to the UFC, the words “interim title” have been thrown out ad nauseam. While some of those interim belt introductions have been justified, there are many examples of others that, unequivocally, were not.

In Bellator, that terminology has not been thrown out often. Currently, within the promotion, there are a couple of examples that can be made where an interim title would make sense. There is the Bellator lightweight title, which was captured by Brent Primus last June at Bellator NYC. Due to becoming a father, along with injuries, that title has yet to be defended as the 12-month mark approaches.

Then, there is the Bellator light heavyweight title. Ryan Bader captured the title, also last June at Bellator NYC. He has also defended that title successfully against Linton Vassell at November’s Bellator 186 event. While that was seven months ago, Bader is looking to make history by competing in the organization’s heavyweight grand prix. After an incredible, 15-second knockout victory over Muhammed Lawal at Bellator 199 in the final opening round bout, Bader will move on to face Matt Mitrione later on this year. When that fight will happen is anybody’s guess.

Vassell, who will face former light heavyweight champ Phil Davis this Friday at Bellator 200, respects everything Bader has done. “Darth” has taken an opportunity to accomplish something truly special and nobody can fault him for that. However, there is a glaring standstill that the light heavyweight division has, especially at the championship level, that will need to be addressed.

Do we dare say the words “interim title”? Vassell, as would many light heavyweights in the division, would be all about getting the division moving forward while the current champion goes after history.

“I agree 100 percent,” Vassell told FanSided MMA. “He can’t hold that title up. Especially because he’s in the tournament and he’s doing well. He could win it. The best thing Bellator could do is do an interim title, or he needs to relinquish it. We’ll see what happens. But he can’t hold up that division.”



When it comes down to it, there may be more on the line when Davis and Vassell meet this Friday than just wins and losses. The Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix has a bit of mystery to it as far as when the semifinal and final bouts will take place. The plan from the beginning was to have the tournament end by the end of 2018. What if it carries over into 2019? Even if it doesn’t, history tells us that it will likely be over a year that the 205-pound title in Bellator will be defended.

Again, nobody, including Vassell, is faulting Bader for taking his shot at capturing two world titles in two different weight classes. There is clearly unpredictability in Bellator’s two heaviest divisions. Despite all of that, Vassell predicts that MMA fans will witness history when the heavyweight championship tournament comes to its conclusion.

“I feel like Bader is probably going to do it,” Vassell said. “I just feel like he’s on fire right now. Obviously, Matt Mitrione is my boy. I just feel like Bader is on a tear right now. He is just a monster.”