'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#5 Matt Mitrione (13-6) vs. Sergei Kharitonov (28-6) (Heavyweight)
Trending
The first time these two men met inside the cage back in February, the fight ended in a no-contest due to an accidental groin strike. The sequel was a must but did the towering heavyweights get it right this time around? Let's find out.
Round 1: Mitrione started hot with a straight left and a body kick. High kick, forward pressure, uppercuts and that left hand! Mitrione meant business.
Kharitonov was having a hard time keeping up with Mitrione's pace. The former UFC Heavyweight was doing a great job of reading Kharitonov's jab. Mitrione stayed busy with his combinations. Matt mixed it up with the inside leg kicks and occasional high kicks.
Kharitonov landed a few good shots to the body. They clinched near the cage. The fight was momentarily stopped after Mitrione lost his mouthpiece.
Kharitonov's jabs started landing. He connected with a good right, followed up with a body shot and a knee to the gut. Mitrione's mouthpiece slipped out for the third time in the first round and he got a warning from the referee. Strong start for Mitrione but Kharitonov clawed his way back with his dirty boxing.
Round 2: Mitrione began the second round in southpaw. Kharitonov enjoyed a good start to the round. Jabs, punches to the body and a few kicks to round it up from Kharitonov.
Mitrione's mouthpiece fell out yet again as a result of Kharitonov's grazing shot. Mitrione looked around in frustration and Kharitonov capitalized on it. He stunned Mitrione with an uppercut and followed it up with a nasty looking knee strike. Mitrione was flat on his back and Kharitonov applied the finishing touches with a few hammer fists. Kharitonov won thanks to his hands and Mitrione's wretched mouth guard.
Result: Matt Mitrione def. Sergei Kharitonov via TKO (1:24, Round 2)
Could the fight have panned out differently had Mitrione not struggled with his mouth guard? Maybe. However, take nothing away from PRIDE veteran Kharitoniv, who showed his striking prowess when it mattered the most and notched up his 29th career victory.
