Now firmly entrenched in his heavyweight run, Linton Vassell was expecting to face Denis Goltsov at PFL Madrid this Friday.
Then, as often transpires in mixed martial arts, the fight gods threw England’s Vassell (25-10, 1NC) a curveball. Goltsov, the 2024 PFL Global season champion, was out. Jose Augusto was in. Actually, another would-be opponent was offered prior to Augusto, “but for some reason, the guy couldn’t get a visa,” Vassell told Cageside Press in an exclusive interview ahead of the bout.
Augusto was next in line. “Even before I’d even watched his fights, I agreed and signed the contract. Because I’d been training for a fight, I’d been training for Denis. I think when you get offered a replacement, all you can say is yes,” explained Vassell. “So I took the fight, and here we are.”
Denis Goltsov, of course, is a very different opponent from Jose Augusto. Goltsov is a towering figure, Augusto not so much, and outside of teammate Steve Mowry, Vassell had had a tough time finding fighters similar in stature to the Russian PFL star.
“I’ve been sparring with strikers and grapplers. It’s kind of like I was preparing for this fight without even noticing really, if you understand. Because it’s not like everyday you can go down the road and find a 6’8″ guy. So the height adjustment, it kind of just worked out perfectly.”
Jose Augusto might be remembered for fighting Anthony “Rumble” Johnson in Bellator MMA on short notice, replacing Yoel Romero in their 2021 fight. It was Rumble’s last professional bout prior to his untimely passing due to cancer.
Still, Augusto has only flirted with the limelight, which might make him more dangerous in a way. “I don’t doubt he’s going to come and try and knock me out and make a statement for himself,” noted Vassell. “There’s no doubt he’s going to come and bring it, but I’m know I’m ready. I’ve been ready for a long time. Whatever he’s going I’m going to nullify that, and work my game. Eventually take him down after beating him up on the feet, and go for the finish.”
“Either TKO or referee stoppage. That’s how I see this fight going.”
It’s a brand new day, to borrow from the next Spider-Man film, for the PFL in 2026. No more tournaments, traditional matchmaking. Vassell has plenty of experience with both. “Don’t get me wrong, it was fun to get three fights in a year, so obviously I was active and I got paid, but it is taxing on the body. And me getting a little bit older, 42 now, to do that again would have been tough.
With that in mind, Vassell is “pleased” to see things go back to the regular format. “If I win, obviously then you get another ranked guy and like you said, eventually it’s probably a quicker way to get to the belt. For me, I think this works perfect for myself.” Vassell has always trained for one fight at a time, he added. “In a way, I’m glad there’s no more tournaments.”
Watch our full interview with PFL Madrid heavyweight Linton Vassell above.
