- Written by Paul Battison
- bbc sports
image source, Bellator MMA
Linton Vassell's MMA record is 23 wins, 8 losses, and 1 no contest.
Linton Vassel's face lights up with anticipation when the moment comes when he realizes how far he has come.
The 40-year-old brings himself back to his early 20s, his first game for Doncaster. He doesn't remember whether he got paid or not.
In contrast to what Vassell will experience Thursday in Texas, the London native will face 33-year-old Russian Denis Goltsov in the first fight of the Professional Fighters League's (PFL) 2024 season.
The ultimate winner of the heavyweight tournament will take home the world title and a check for $1 million (£800,000).
Speaking near his home in Florida, Mr. Vassell details the ups and downs of his illustrious 19-year career, summed up in one word: “Perseverance.”
“It's really surreal,” Vassell told BBC Sport. “We’re pretty much fighting for peanuts, it’s really crazy to actually put it all together.
“But I’ve been doing this for a long time. I didn’t go from nothing to getting a big paycheck, and I didn’t get the top dollar either.
“And finally, by continuing to win, I'm at a pretty point in my life where I can look back and say this was all worth it.”
“Ever since I was young, I didn't like fighting.”
Vassell, who worked full-time as a builder, was a latecomer to mixed martial arts, first discovering the sport around age 21.
He was a WWE fan and was having a fight with friends in his backyard when he performed the slam known as the “Rock Bottom.”
“I didn't like fighting at all from an early age. It wasn't something I wanted to do,” Vassell added. “I would wrestle with friends, but I never really fought.
“I was drawn to professional wrestling because I loved watching guys like Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior, Bret Hart, and the Legion of Doom.
“I picked up a friend of mine who was a fighter and gave him a ‘Rock Bottom’ and I accidentally knocked him out.
“From then on, he said, 'Lington, you come to the gym. If you did that to me, imagine what you could do in training.'
Since joining an MMA gym, Vassell has never looked back.
“My career was in jeopardy.”
Watch video: Britain's Vassell defeats Moldavsky by TKO
Vassell, who has served Bellator for many years, last fought Valentin Moldavsky in March 2023 before selling the MMA promotion to PFL.
But Vassell, who bounced back from two heartbreaks and forged a new career at heavyweight after being effectively “fired,” entered the PFL's season format with five straight wins.
The finals will be held at the end of the year.
As he embarks on a new challenge for the title, Vassell hopes his career will inspire others.
“Don't give up 100%,” he said, adding, “I know everyone wants it sometimes, but you have to work for it.
“I've been doing this for a long time. I could have quit many times, and I've thought about quitting at times, but don't quit.”
