Cheick Kongo vs Sergei Kharitonov Picks & Betting Tips
Cheick Kongo can make a return to winning ways in the Bellator 265 main event.
Kongo can use his speed, movement and huge reach advantage to negate Sergei Kharitonov’s power and earn the win.
- Cheick Kongo is 12-3 with 1 No Contest under the Bellator banner
- Cheick Kongo fought for the heavyweight title in his second-to-last fight
- Cheick Kongo has not been knocked out since April 2013
- Cheick Kongo has a 7” reach advantage
- Sergei Kharitonov is 3-2 with 1 No Contest under the Bellator banner
Cheick Kongo Form
Cheick Kongo has not won a fight since 2019 but his record under the Bellator banner is a good one.
During his time with the promotion he has compiled a 12-3 record with one No Contest.
The Frenchman won a heavyweight tournament in 2013 and he has fought for the title twice.
Kongo’s most recent shot came in 2019 when his bout with Ryan Bader was ruled a no contest after an accidental eye poke in the first round.
When the 46-year-old returned to the cage last October he suffered a split decision defeat to Timothy Johnson.
Kongo’s record now stands at 30 wins, 11 losses, two draws and one No Contest. 15 of his wins have come via knockout and three via decision.
Of his 11 losses, three have come via knockout and seven by decision. However, Kongo has not been stopped with strikes in over eight years.
Sergei Kharitonov Form
Sergei Kharitonov is making his return to Bellator after fighting twice for other promotions last year.
Those outings were successful – he stopped Fernando Rodrigues Jr in the second round before beating Oli Thompson inside three minutes.
However, the last time Kharitonov stepped inside the Bellator cage he was beaten.
The 40-year-old was knocked out by Linton Vassell, continuing a run underwhelming form for the promotion.
Having gone 1-1 with Bellator in 2016/17, Kharitonov returned in 2018 and made an immediate impact by knocking out Roy Nelson inside a round.
He was unable to make it back-to-back wins though as an accident groin strike rendered his bout with Matt Mitrione a No Contest.
Kharitonov stopped Mitrione in the second round in the rematch in August 2019, but that was the last time he won a Bellator fight.
His record now stands at 32 wins, eight losses and two No Contests. 21 of his 32 wins have come via knockout.
Of his eight career defeats, Kharitonov has been knocked out four times and submitted three times.
Cheick Kongo vs Sergei Kharitonov FAQs
Where can I watch the Cheick Kongo vs Sergei Kharitonov live stream?
Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the Cheick Kongo vs Sergei Kharitonov live stream.
Where is Cheick Kongo vs Sergei Kharitonov taking place?
Cheick Kongo vs Sergei Kharitonov is taking place at Bellator 265 on Friday, August 20 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.