British MMA star who terrorised Bellator vows he is ‘not stopping’ as the 40-year-old makes PFL bow

Vassell, who is a British MMA veteran, joined Bellator in 2013 and made his mark in the organisation by winning 12 of 17 fights – eight of them by stoppage.

The 40-year-old challenged for the light-heavyweight crown on two occasions but came up short both times against Emanuel Newton and Ryan Bader.

Vassell was meant to step back in the cage with Bader for Bellator 300, though plans changed when the Brit withdrew due to illness.

The Big Swarm is now shifting his focus to the PFL and the $1million tournament which he kicks off against Denis Goltsov.

Looking ahead to the heavyweight showdown, Vassell said: “Not taking anything away from him, but I’m a different kettle of fish. 

“I hit 40 in age and I just keep rolling. I think my last performance showed that I’m not stopping. Same treatment on Thursday.”

That last performance came against Valentin Moldavsky in August as the Brit picked up a stunning first round knockout victory.

Big Swarm is currently on a five-fight winning run and hasn’t tasted defeat since 2019.

The Brit enters his first PFL season with serious form under his belt and he has admitted that winning the competition is his ultimate goal.

“My goal is to be a champion, my goal is to be the best in the world,” he said.

“Win the tournament, fight the champion, win that fight and defend that belt a couple of times at least.

“One step at a time, but those are my goals for the PFL.”

Fans over in the United Kingdom can catch Thursday’s event live on DAZN. Over in the United States, ESPN+ will broadcast the show.