Linton Vassell vs. Ronny Markes, Cody Law vs. Kenny Champion added to Bellator 254

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Linton Vassell vs. Ronny Markes, Cody Law vs. Kenny Champion added to Bellator 254

The lineup for Bellator’s return after a few weeks off continues to build.

The organization has booked Cody Law against Kenny Champion and is targeting a bout between Linton Vassell and Ronny Markes for Bellator 254, which takes place Dec. 10 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

MMA Junkie confirmed the news following an initial report from MMA Fighting.

Law (1-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA), a top prospect at American Top Team, made his professional debut in October and submitted Orlando Ortega in the first round at Bellator 250. He is a former NCAA Division-II wrestling champion.

Champion (2-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) made his professional debut in October 2019. He will make his Bellator debut against Law.

In the heavyweight bout, both Vassell (19-8 MMA, 8-5 BMMA) and Markes (19-7 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) look to build momentum from victories in their most recent fights, which snapped losing skids for both.

Vassell defeated Sergei Kharitonov with a second-round TKO in November 2019 at Bellator 234. Prior to that, the Englishman was on a three-fight losing skid.

Markes finally will make his Bellator debut more than a year after signing with the promotion. The Brazilian was expected to debut against Josh Barnett in December 2019 in Honolulu, but Barnett was removed from the card just hours before the fight when he was deemed unfit to compete due to illness. Markes most recently fought in June 2019 and beat Sigi Pesaleli in the PFL.

With the additions, the Bellator 254 lineup now includes:

  • Champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Juliana Velasquez – for women’s flyweight title
  • Ronny Markes vs. Linton Vassell
  • Magomed Magomedov vs. Matheus Mattos
  • Jessica Borga vs. Marina Mokhnatkina
  • Tyree Fortune vs. Grant Neal
  • Romero Cotton vs. Justin Sumter
  • Nate Andrews vs. Goiti Yamauchi
  • Kenny Champion vs. Cody Law

Linton Vassell vs. Ronny Markes, Cody Law vs. Kenny Champion added to Bellator 254