Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Falls against former champion at Bellator 200
Vassell lost to Phil Davis via TKO (head kick) at 1:05 of Round 3 at Bellator 200 on Friday in London.
ANALYSIS
Vassell has had an impressive run in Bellator, but he has not really been able to break through against the top fighters in the division. About a year ago, he picked up perhaps the biggest win of his career when he submitted former champion Liam McGeary. However, since then he has dropped back-to-back fights against Ryan Bader and now Davis. Against Davis, Vassell had his best moment in the second round. He tried to take over with his grappling skill on the ground, but Davis survived and continued to dominate. In the third round, Davis caught Vassell early with a head kick and finished the fight.
Vassell has had an impressive run in Bellator, but he has not really been able to break through against the top fighters in the division. About a year ago, he picked up perhaps the biggest win of his career when he submitted former champion Liam McGeary. However, since then he has dropped back-to-back fights against Ryan Bader and now Davis. Against Davis, Vassell had his best moment in the second round. He tried to take over with his grappling skill on the ground, but Davis survived and continued to dominate. In the third round, Davis caught Vassell early with a head kick and finished the fight.
To fight Phil Davis at Bellator 200
Vassell will fight Phil Davis at Bellator 200 on May 25 in London, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Vassell is coming off a loss to Ryan Bader that broke a three-fight winning streak. He's 7-3 in Bellator. Vassell's opponent, Davis, back in June 2017, lost his light heavyweight title against Ryan Bader. Most recently, he defeated Leo Leite in November with a unanimous decision.
Vassell is coming off a loss to Ryan Bader that broke a three-fight winning streak. He's 7-3 in Bellator. Vassell's opponent, Davis, back in June 2017, lost his light heavyweight title against Ryan Bader. Most recently, he defeated Leo Leite in November with a unanimous decision.
Comes up short against Ryan Bader with the Bellator light heavyweight title on the line
Vassell lost to Ryan Bader via TKO (punches) at 3:58 of Round 2 at Bellator 186 on Friday in New York City.
ANALYSIS
In his previous fight, Vassell upset former champion Liam McGeary to earn a title shot. Unfortunately for him, he was not able to score another upset and claim the title. While his reach did give Bader some trouble early, he could not deal with the champion's wrestling ability and physicality. In the second round, Bader caught Vassell with a cross-wrist ride and unleashed a barrage of punches. The referee stepped in to stop the bout. Vassell has still proved himself to be one of the best light heavyweights in Bellator and he will certainly stick around and try to work his way back to another title shot.
In his previous fight, Vassell upset former champion Liam McGeary to earn a title shot. Unfortunately for him, he was not able to score another upset and claim the title. While his reach did give Bader some trouble early, he could not deal with the champion's wrestling ability and physicality. In the second round, Bader caught Vassell with a cross-wrist ride and unleashed a barrage of punches. The referee stepped in to stop the bout. Vassell has still proved himself to be one of the best light heavyweights in Bellator and he will certainly stick around and try to work his way back to another title shot.
Upsets Liam McGeary at Bellator 179
Vassell defeated Liam McGeary via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:28 ofRound 3 at Bellator 179 on Friday in London.
ANALYSIS
This was a huge win for Vassell. He was a step behind in the striking, and McGeary is a dynamic grappler. However, he was able to come through in the third round and pull off the submission victory. About a minute into the second round, he rushed McGeary and scored a takedown. From the top, he was surprisingly able to knife through McGeary's guard and pass multiple times. The former champion tried to scramble, but Vassell stayed with him and passed to mount multiple times. In the third round, Vassell went for the takedown even earlier and mounted almost immediately. From there, "The Swarm" caught the arm-triangle choke submission and finished the fight. Vassell had previously defeated Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and former Bellator champion Emanuel Newton. However, this was clearly the biggest win of his career. He might have positioned himself to face the winner of the upcoming title fight between champion Phil Davis and Ryan Bader.
This was a huge win for Vassell. He was a step behind in the striking, and McGeary is a dynamic grappler. However, he was able to come through in the third round and pull off the submission victory. About a minute into the second round, he rushed McGeary and scored a takedown. From the top, he was surprisingly able to knife through McGeary's guard and pass multiple times. The former champion tried to scramble, but Vassell stayed with him and passed to mount multiple times. In the third round, Vassell went for the takedown even earlier and mounted almost immediately. From there, "The Swarm" caught the arm-triangle choke submission and finished the fight. Vassell had previously defeated Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and former Bellator champion Emanuel Newton. However, this was clearly the biggest win of his career. He might have positioned himself to face the winner of the upcoming title fight between champion Phil Davis and Ryan Bader.
Grapples his way to a decision victory
Vassell defeated Francis Carmont via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25) at Bellator 165 on Saturday in San Jose, Calif.
ANALYSIS
In a matchup between two veteran grapplers, there was some pretty solid ground work. Vassell scored a takedown in the first round before working for the back and locking in the body triangle. In the next round, Carmont was the one taking the back and working for the rear-naked choke. This time Vassell was able to escpae the position and end up on top. The third round was more of the same. Vassell scored a takedown and then worked from the back mount. Overall he outlanded his opponent 21 to 7 in terms of ground strikes. This was pretty much domination, but it was not really much to watch.
In a matchup between two veteran grapplers, there was some pretty solid ground work. Vassell scored a takedown in the first round before working for the back and locking in the body triangle. In the next round, Carmont was the one taking the back and working for the rear-naked choke. This time Vassell was able to escpae the position and end up on top. The third round was more of the same. Vassell scored a takedown and then worked from the back mount. Overall he outlanded his opponent 21 to 7 in terms of ground strikes. This was pretty much domination, but it was not really much to watch.