Sergei Kharitonov returns to Bellator this weekend to square off against fellow veteran Cheick Kongo in a mouth-watering heavyweight clash.
The company heads back out on the road on Saturday for Bellator 265 with an exciting card set to play out at Sanford Pentagon in South Dakota.
Two heavyweight’s with a vast amount of experience, Kharitonov and Kongo, top the bill, while the likes of featherweight title-hopefuls Adam Borics and Jay Jay Wilson are also slated to meet in the co-main event.
Further down the card, Logan Storley will be eager to get back to winning ways in his home state against Dante Schiro.
Kongo Keen to Stay on Title Track
At the grand old age of 46, Kongo can put himself back in the frame for a shot at the heavyweight title if he finds a way to overcome Kharitonov.
His second shot at the strap ended in major disappointment in September 2019, as his bout with champion Ryan Bader ended a no contest following an accidental eye pole.
Sergei Kharitonov is on the hunt for a 3⃣1⃣st pro win when he faces @Kongo4Real at #Bellator265.
Catch their bout LIVE on @SHOSports this Friday, August 2⃣0⃣th at 9pm EST/6pm PST. pic.twitter.com/f4fxOXHgpW
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) August 15, 2021
Kongo was back in the cage in October but he came out on the wrong side of a split decision against Timothy Johnson in his home city of Paris.
The Frenchman remains the #3 ranked fighter in the division, but failure to get back to winning ways this weekend will all but likely end any potential hopes of getting another crack at the gold.
Kharitonov is back in Bellator for the first time since November 2019, having beaten Fernando Rodrigues Jr and Oli Thompson under different banners in the meantime.
He boasts an impressive 21 knockout victories in 42 professional fights and can’t be overlooked as he attempts to secure a ranking.
The Russian doesn’t tend to leave it in the hands of the judges and has only gone the distance three times in his career.
Kharitonov win at 20/27 looks the way to go, with Kongo priced at Evens to claim the victory.
Wilson’s 0 Set to Go
The featherweight division crowned a new king at UFC 263 when AJ McKee stunned champion Patricio Freire, tipped up here at Mansion Bet, and now two of the chasing pack step into the spotlight this weekend.
Hungarian Borics sits at #3 and Wilson is ranked #5 and they both have their sights firmly set on the undefeated McKee.
‘The Kid’ is riding a three-fight winning streak and boasts a 17-1 record, while Wilson is 8-0 and yet to taste defeat as a pro.
Wilson has only faced one ranked fighter and Borics undoubtedly represents a major step up in opponent. Borics’ greater experience could prove crucial and he is 4/6 to rack up another win.
Storley to Cook up a Storm
Logan ‘Storm’ Storley lost to Yaroslav Amosov, who went on to win the welterweight title next time out, when last seen at Bellator 252.
The South Dakotan returns to his home state, sat #5 in the rankings and looking a solid pick to defeat Dante Schiro.
After sealing back-to-back wins in Caged Aggression, Dante makes his Bellator debut against Storley and could be in for a rough ride.
With eight of his 11 victories coming via knockout, including two of his last three, a Storley triumph by that route appeals. The 28-year-old is as short as 1/200 to claim the win.
Odds correct at time of writing.