In a heavyweight main event bout, Cheick Kongo faces Sergei Kharitonov Friday at Bellator 265 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. The main card will be televised on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie. Below, we analyze the Bellator 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov odds and lines, with MMA picks and predictions.
Kongo steps into the octagon for the first time since Oct. 2020, and it’s his only bout dating back to Sept. 2019.
Kongo didn’t win either of those two fights, as he was poked in the left eye by Ryan Bader in the first round of a no contest Sept. 7, 2019, at Bellator 226, and he lost a split-decision against Timothy Johnson in the main event of Bellator 248 Oct. 10, 2020. He had won his previous eight bouts with the promotion, including a pair of first-round knockout wins in 2018.
Kharitonov is looking to put the 46-year-old Kongo out to pasture, but he isn’t a spring chicken, either. The 41-year-old Team Golden Glory representative is looking to build upon a first-round knockout win over Oli Thompson Nov. 7, 2020, at the Parus Fight Championship, a non-Bellator event.
Kharitonov was 2-1-1 in his previous four bouts with Bellator prior to that win. Each of his last three pro bouts ended via stoppage, and he is 3-2-1 across his six Bellator fights. None of his six fights with the promotion went the distance.
Bellator 265 Kongo vs. Kharitonov: Odds and lines
Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 9 p.m. ET.
- Fight result (2-way line): Kongo +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Kharitonov -125 (bet $125 to win $100
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Bellator 265 Kongo vs. Kharitonov: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Records: Kongo (30-11-2) | Kharitonov (30-7-0)
Fight result (2-way line or money line)
KHARITONOV (-125) is the play in this battle of 40-plus fighters. He has been impressive recently, rebounding after a second-round KO/TKO loss to Linton Vassell with the victory over Thompson last time out. He has tremendous punching power, and he’ll score the finish against the disgruntled Kongo.
For an added bonus, toss Kharitonov into a three-fighter parlay with TAYLOR JOHNSON (-260) over Fabio Aguiar, and BRYCE LOGAN (-180) over Mike Hamel.
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