Artur Pronin – Syndication Server

Bellator 234 post-event facts: Youngster Aviv Gozali already making waves

Check out all the facts and figures from Bellator 234, which took place Thursday in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Bellator hosted its latest oversees event Thursday with Bellator 234, which aired Friday via tape delay on Paramount from Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel.

An upset occurred in the heavyweight headliner of the card when [autotag]Linton Vassell[/autotag] (19-8 MMA, 8-5 BMMA) stopped [autotag]Sergei Kharitonov[/autotag]’s (29-7 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) unbeaten streak with a second-round TKO for his first win in the weight class since moving up from light heavyweight.

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 20 post-event facts to come out of Bellator 234.

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General

Betting favorites went 2-1 on the main card. Betting odds weren’t available for two fights.

Betting favorites fell to 12-7 (with two no contests and one draw) in Bellator main events this year.

Total fight time for the six-bout main card was 43:23.

Main card

Vassell improved to 1-1 since he moved up to the heavyweight division in March.

Vassell has earned 15 of his 19 career victories by stoppage.

Vassell earned his first knockout victory since Feb. 27, 2015 – a span of 1,721 days (nearly five years) and eight fights.

Kharitonov has suffered six of his seven career losses by stoppage.

Kharitonov has suffered both of his Bellator losses by knockout.

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[autotag]Roger Huerta[/autotag] (24-12-1 MMA, 1-5 BMMA) fell to 0-3 since he returned to Bellator for a second stint in April 2018. He hasn’t earned a victory with the promotion since April 2010.

Huerta fell to 4-11 in his past 15 fights dating back to August 2008.

[autotag]Aviv Gozali[/autotag] (4-0 MMA, 4-0 BMMA), 18, is the youngest fighter to reach four Bellator wins.

Gozali has earned all four of his career victories by submission.

[autotag]Haim Gozali[/autotag] (12-6 MMA, 4-3 BMMA) has earned all 12 of his career victories by stoppage.

Gozali has earned all four of his Bellator victories by first-round submission.

[autotag]Artur Pronin[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) has suffered all four of his career losses by stoppage.

[autotag]Grachik Bozinyan[/autotag] (10-4 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) suffered the first decision loss of his career.

Preliminary card

[autotag]Sinead Kavanagh[/autotag] (6-4 MMA, 3-4 BMMA) improved to 2-3 since she moved up to the Bellator women’s featherweight division.

Kavanagh has earned all of her career stoppage victories by knockout.

[autotag]Olga Rubin[/autotag] (6-2 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) has suffered consecutive losses after starting her career 6-0.

Rubin has suffered both of her career losses by knockout.

Bellator 234 results: Linton Vassell TKOs Sergei Kharitonov, Austin Vanderford still unbeaten

Check out the results from Bellator 234, where Linton Vassell got back in the win column in a big way.

[autotag]Linton Vassell[/autotag] is back in the win column – and in a big way.

In his return to heavyweight, Vassell, a former two-time light heavyweight title challenger, defeated [autotag]Sergei Kharitonov[/autotag] via second-round TKO on Thursday. The fight between Vassell (20-8 MMA, 8-5 BMMA) and Kharitonov (30-8 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) served as the headliner for Bellator 234, which took place at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel, and aired on Paramount/DAZN on Friday via tape delay.

The fight opened with Kharitonov stalking Vassell, who was content to circle on the outside during the opening couple of minutes of Round 1 before shooting in for a takedown. It was initially stuffed, but Vassell managed to complete it despite Kharitonov’s initial grabbing of the fence. Vassell spent the second half of the round controlling from top position with composed ground-and-pound until the horn sounded.

Round 2 opened the same way as the first, but Vassell mixed things up with a high kick that was blocked before shooting for another takedown. This time, Vassell completed it on his first attempt, and the two men crashes to the canvas. It didn’t take long for Vassell to control Kharitonov’s back. At one point, Vassell sunk in a rear-naked choke that he released in favor of throwing punches from a back mount. All Kharitonov could do was turtle up, forcing the stoppage midway through the round.

With the victory, Vassell snapped a three-fight losing streak that consisted of losses to champion Ryan Bader, former champ Phil Davis and highly touted prospect Valentin Moldavsky. Kharitonov, meanwhile, suffered his first defeat in eight fights dating back to March 2017.

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Gozalis earn victories, leading to Haim’s retirement

Father and son had a successful night at home one last time.

First, 46-year-old [autotag]Haim Gozali[/autotag] (12-6 MMA, 4-3 BMMA) was victorious, defeating [autotag]Artur Pronin[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) by first-round heel hook submission. Then, in the night’s next bout, 18-year-old [autotag]Aviv Gozali[/autotag] (4-0 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) won with his own first-round submission, using an anaconda choke to finish [autotag]Zaka Fatullazade[/autotag] (14-9 MMA, 0-1 BMMA).

Afterward, as expected, Haim, affectionately known as “Batman,” announced his retirement after more than 21 years as a professional fighter.

View this post on Instagram

Batman as left the cage thanks to @bellatormma to give me opportunity to fight in the biggest organisation in the world. And thanks to all my fans that give me the strength to continue. And to all my fans I love you!!! and to all the haters I love you too!!!

A post shared by Haim Gozali (@haimgozali) on Nov 15, 2019 at 2:42am PST

Batman as left the cage thanks to @bellatormma to give me opportunity to fight in the biggest organisation in the world.
And thanks to all my fans that give me the strength to continue.
And to all my fans I love you!!!
and to all the haters I love you too!!!

His son replied:

Love you pops good luck on your new way I’m here to continue the Legacy

Vanderford remains undefeated

[autotag]Austin Vanderford[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) still has a perfect record.

Vanderford, who made his debut with Bellator earlier this year, won his third fight with the promotion, earning a unanimous decision over [autotag]Grachik Bozinyan[/autotag] (10-4 MMA, 0-1 BMMA).

Vanderford, the husband of UFC star Paige VanZant, has gotten off to a good start in Bellator since being denied a UFC contract last year following a submission win on “Dana White’s Contender Series.” He’s 3-0 with the promotion and 9-0 overall.

Complete Bellator 234 results include:

Linton Vassell def. Sergei Kharitonov via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:15
[autotag]Sidney Outlaw[/autotag] def. [autotag]Roger Huerta[/autotag] via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Aviv Gozali def. Zaka Fatullazade via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 1, 0:56
Haim Gozali def. Artur Pronin via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 4:12
Austin Vanderford def. Grachik Bozinyan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
[autotag]Sinead Kavanagh[/autotag] def. [autotag]Olga Rubin[/autotag] via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:37
[autotag]Robson Gracie Jr.[/autotag] def. [autotag]Amir Bashir[/autotag] via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 4:39
[autotag]Adam Keresh[/autotag] def. [autotag]Vladimir Fedin[/autotag] via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:29
[autotag]Simon Smotritsky[/autotag] def. [autotag]Illia Hladkii[/autotag] via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:10
[autotag]Vuqar Keramov[/autotag] def. [autotag]Gustavo Wurlitzer[/autotag] via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:29
[autotag]Kirill Medvedovsky[/autotag] def. [autotag]Akhmed Al Farazha[/autotag] via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 0:46
[autotag]Raz Bring[/autotag] def. [autotag]Naziri Daniliuk[/autotag] via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-28)
[autotag]Mihail Dulgher[/autotag] def. [autotag]Ofir Leibel[/autotag] via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
[autotag]Ron Becker[/autotag] def. Artem [autotag]Kazartsev[/autotag] via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:57
[autotag]Ben Cohen[/autotag] def. [autotag]Maksym Tkachuk[/autotag] via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:17
[autotag]Eli Aronov[/autotag] def. [autotag]Sari Hleihil[/autotag] via split decision (30-26, 27-28, 30-26)
[autotag]Itay Lipszyc[/autotag] def. [autotag]Yizhak Yakobov[/autotag] via submission (ankle lock) – Round 1, 2:51
[autotag]Noam Voldman[/autotag] def. [autotag]Nisim Rozalis[/autotag] via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
[autotag]Itay Tratner[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Elias Mamadov[/autotag] declared a split draw declared a split draw (28-27, 28-29, 28-28)
[autotag]Tomer Maslis[/autotag] def. [autotag]David Malka[/autotag] via TKO (exhaustion) – Round 3, 1:32

Bellator 234 predictions: Is anyone picking Linton Vassell over Sergei Kharitonov in Israel?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the Bellator 234 main card in Israel.

	Kharitonov vs. Vassell	Huerta vs. Outlaw	Fatullazade vs. A. Gozali	H. Gozali vs. Pronin	Bozinyan vs. Vanderford
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 2019: 194-120 (62%)	Kharitonov (89%)	Outlaw (61%)	A. Gozali (69%)	Pronin (71%)	Vanderford (87%)
Simon Head @simonhead 2019: 110-62 (64%)	Kharitonov	Outlaw	A. Gozali	Pronin	Vanderford
Dan Tom @DanTomMMA 2019: 200-114 (64%)	Kharitonov	Outlaw	A. Gozali	Pronin	Vanderford
Nolan King @mma_kings 2019: 106-61 (63%)	Kharitonov	Outlaw	A. Gozali	Pronin	Vanderford
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 2019: 198-116 (63%) 2018 Champion	Kharitonov	Outlaw	A. Gozali	Pronin	Vanderford
Brian Garcia @thegoze 2019: 197-117 (63%) 2017 Champion	Kharitonov	Outlaw	A. Gozali	H. Gozali	Vanderford
John Morgan @MMAjunkieJohn 2019: 195-119 (62%)	Kharitonov	Outlaw	A. Gozali	Pronin	Vanderford
Simon Samano @SJSamano 2019: 195-119 (62%)	Kharitonov	Outlaw	A. Gozali	Pronin	Vanderford
Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 2019: 194-120 (62%) 2014 Champion	Kharitonov	Outlaw	A. Gozali	H. Gozali	Vanderford
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 2019: 190-124 (61%)	Kharitonov	Outlaw	A. Gozali	Pronin	Vanderford
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 2019: 96-65 (60%)	Kharitonov	Outlaw	A. Gozali	Pronin	Vanderford
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 2019: 184-130 (59%)	Kharitonov	Outlaw	A. Gozali	Pronin	Vanderford
Dave Doyle @davedoylemma 2019: 122-100 (55%)	Kharitonov	Outlaw	A. Gozali	Pronin	Vanderford
Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 2019: 167-147 (53%)	Vassell	Huerta	A. Gozali	H. Gozali	Vanderford

Bellator is back in Israel this week, and a pair of heavyweight standouts are atop the bill.

Bellator 234 takes place Thursday at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel. The main card airs on Paramount and streams on DAZN on Friday via tape delay.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

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In the main event, [autotag]Sergei Kharitonov[/autotag] (30-7 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Linton Vassell[/autotag] (18-8 MMA, 7-5 BMMA) in a heavyweight fight. Kharitonov is just a -175 favorite, but our 13 MMA Junkie editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers are picking him almost unanimously. Only one picker is taking Vassell in an upset.

In the co-main event, [autotag]Sidney Outlaw[/autotag] (13-3 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) is a 5-1 favorite against [autotag]Roger Huerta[/autotag] (24-11-1 MMA, 1-4 BMMA) in their lightweight fight. And like in the main event, it’s a huge picks lead for the favorite. Only one picker is taking Huerta to pull the upset.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Aviv Gozali[/autotag] (3-0 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) is one of two unanimous picks. He takes on [autotag]Zaka Fatullazade[/autotag] (14-7 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) in a lightweight fight, and he’s a 13-0 pick to stay unbeaten.

The other unanimous pick belongs to [autotag]Austin Vanderford[/autotag] (8-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA), who is more than a 6-1 favorite at some sports books in his middleweight fight against [autotag]Grachik Bozinyan[/autotag] (10-3 MMA, 0-0 BMMA).

And [autotag]Haim Gozali[/autotag] (11-6 MMA, 3-3 BMMA) will fight likely for the last time on the same card as his son, Aviv. He takes on [autotag]Artur Pronin[/autotag] (16-3 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) at welterweight. But unlike his son, who is a unanimous pick from our staff members, Haim Gozali is down 10-3 in the picks to Pronin.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Kharitonov (89%), Outlaw (61 percent), Aviv Gozali (69 percent), Pronin (71 percent) and Vanderford (87 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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5 burning questions heading into Bellator 234 in Israel

MMA Junkie highlights the burning questions that need answering ahead of Bellator 234 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The Bellator cage lands in Tel Aviv, Israel for Bellator 234, with a pivotal heavyweight bout headlining the card, a returning veteran in search of a much-needed victory, and an Israeli father-son combination looking to follow in the footsteps of Bellator’s McKee family by securing a double celebration on fight night.

Here are our five burning questions ahead of Bellator 234:

Can ‘The Paratrooper’ drop himself into a title fight?

[autotag]Sergei Kharitonov[/autotag] may be as little as one win away from a shot at the Bellator heavyweight title, but he needs to eliminate any lingering doubts about his status as the top contender before he’ll get his opportunity.

Kharitonov (30-7 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) is undefeated since his flash knockout at the hands of Javy Ayala back at Bellator 163 in 2018, and you have to go as far back as the summer of 2011 for his last defeat before that. In short, “The Paratrooper” has been on some solid form over the last eight years.

Standing in his way is a British powerhouse looking to make an impact in a new weight class, [autotag]Linton Vassell[/autotag]. Two-time light heavyweight title challenger Vassell (18-8 MMA, 7-5 BMMA) has moved up a division to take advantage of his powerful frame, and while he lost out on the scorecards on his return to heavyweight, “The Swarm” looks to be in prime condition ahead of one of the toughest tests of his career.

If Vassell can take Kharitonov off his feet and work his ground and pound, the Brit could walk away with a big win and upset the heavyweight applecart. But Kharitonov knows that a shot at glory could be just one solid punch away, and you can bet he’ll be looking to connect early in a bid to score a quick KO and deliver a statement to the division.

Who will prevail – the power-punching former kickboxer, or the British former light heavyweight contender?

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Bellator 234: Make your predictions for Sergei Kharitonov vs. Linton Vassell

We want your predictions for Bellator 234 in Israel, featuring Sergei Kharitonov vs. Linton Vassell.

We want your predictions for this week’s Bellator 234 event in Israel.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Wednesday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the Bellator 234 event staff predictions we release Thursday ahead of the event. Bellator 234 takes place Thursday at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel. The main card airs on Paramount and streams on DAZN on Friday via tape delay.

Make your picks for all five main card fights inside:

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