Ryan Bader vs Linton Vassell title fight joins Bellator 186 on Nov. 3

Bellator 186 “Bader vs. Vassell” comes to Bryce Jordan Center on the campus of Penn State University in University Park, Penn., on Nov. 3, 2017. It’s the first Bellator MMA show at PSU and they’re bringing a world title defense for that big debut.

Bellator officials confirmed to PennLive that this card will be headlined by Ryan Bader (23-5) defending the Light Heavyweight title he won at Bellator 180 against former No. 1 contender Linton Vassell (18-5, 1 NC).

Vassell comes in with a huge feather in his cap from submitting former champion Liam McGeary at Bellator 179, giving him his third win in a row and his fourth out of his last five. A win for Bader would solidify his status after a very close fight with Davis, while a win for Vassell would be redemption after falling short in his last title shot three years ago.

Coincidentally former champion and Penn State alum Davis (17-4, 1 NC) will also be on the card against an opponent to be determined as will fellow Nittany Lion wrestler Ed Ruth (3-0).

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