Linton
Vassell (23-9) believes his recent win over Valentin
Moldavsky (13-3) gives him the edge going into their trilogy
bout.
Vassell and Moldavsky will headline
2024 PFL 4 Regular Season, featuring heavyweights and women
flyweights, on June 13 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville,
Connecticut. The pair clashed for the first time at Bellator 218 in
2019, when Moldavsky beat Vassell via unanimous decision. “Big
Swarm” exacted revenge in their rematch at Bellator 292 in March
2023, starching Moldavsky with a right hand followed by some
ground-and-pound in the very first round. The two will now look to
settle the rivalry in a trilogy clash.
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While Moldavsky has since rebounded with back-to-back wins, Vassell
expects the Russian’s lone stoppage loss to loom large in the back
of his mind going into PFL 4. Vassell also deemed Moldavsky shy to
trade in his unanimous decision over his
Kill Cliff FC teammate Steve
Mowry.
“One hundred percent. I’m the only guy to finish him, like knocking
him out clean” Vassell said at PFL media day. “And it wasn’t even a
back-and-forth fight. I was winning [the] majority of the fight, he
took me down twice but no damage. And I was able to land the hook
and obviously the ground-and-pound. And for someone that’s never
been finished like that, I know that’s in the back of his mind. I’m
his last loss and I saw when he fought my friend Steve, he was shy.
He was shy strike again so I know that’s in the back of his head.
And obviously he wanted to grapple and I’m happy with that,
grappling. More of a grappler than a striker. But I’m going to be
ready for all aspects. But I definitely do think I have the edge
leading into this fight.”
Vassell started his
Professional Fighters League 2024 regular season with a
third-round TKO loss against Denis
Goltsov in his SmartCage debut in April. Prior to that, Vassell
was riding a five-fight winning streak that included four finishes.
While Vassell naturally likes to finish fights, he has learned his
fair share of lessons to be patient. However, Vassell will
certainly be on the lookout for one as a finish vastly increases
his chances of making it to the playoffs.
“So, to be honest, all my fights, it’s not that I try and force the
win but finish most of my guys first round,” the 41-year-old said.
“I don’t have to fall into [a] trap or my pressure game’s just a
little too much for them, but I’m finishing most of these guys
first round or early second. I’ve learned my lesson not to try and
force anything but I do need points so I’ll be looking for the
finish in effect that if I see an opening, I will go for it but I
won’t just go in there and just try and rush him for no reason.
Cause he’s a dangerous, dangerous guy. But like I said, we do need
some points and we’ll looking for that finish as soon as it comes.”