Tag: Bellator 234

MMA rankings report: Does Jan Blachowicz deserve bump after UFC Sao Paulo?

MMA Junkie’s “Gorgeous” George and John Morgan walk you through all the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings changes.

It wasn’t the most eventful weekend in MMA history, but nonetheless, UFC on ESPN+ 22 and Bellator 234 are in the books, and there were some items of note:

  • [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] earned a victory over [autotag]Ronaldo Souza [/autotag] in the UFC light heavyweight main event in Sao Paulo. What does that mean for his spot in line hoping to meet champion Jon Jones?
  • What do you do with “Jacare” after his unsuccessful light heavyweight debut? (Spoiler alert: Continue ranking him at middleweight).
  • Over at Bellator 234, [autotag]Sergei Kharitonov[/autotag], who was an honorable mention at heavyweight, was upset by [autotag]Linton Vassell[/autotag].

What does this all mean for our weekly USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings? Let MMA Junkie’s “Gorgeous” George Garcia and John Morgan walk you through the changes in the video above.

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MMA Junkie Radio #3002: UFC Sao Paulo, BKFC 9, Claressa Shields and more

Hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” break down the latest MMA news, including UFC Sao Paulo and BKFC 9 recaps, Claressa Shields and more.

Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here!

On episode 3,002 of the podcast, the guys break down the latest MMA news and notes and look back at UFC on ESPN+ 22 in Sao Paulo and BKFC 9.

The rundown

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at AudioBoom, or check it out above. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.

Bellator 234 reactions: Winning and losing fighters on social media

See how the Bellator 234 winners and losers reacted on social media outlets such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Since the early days when the sport was anything but a mainstream endeavor, the MMA industry has thrived and survived through various websites, forums and, perhaps most importantly, social-media platforms.

Fighters interact with fans, each other and many more through the likes of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, which helps outsiders get a deeper look into the minds of the athletes.

Following Thursday’s Bellator 234 event in Tel Aviv, Israel, several of the winning and losing fighters, along with their coaches, training partners or family members, took to social media to react to the event or share a message with supporters.

Check out some of those reactions.

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The defeated

View this post on Instagram

Извиняюсь перед всеми фанатами ММА, порвал связку, сделаю операцию и вернусь…@bellatormma @ufc @bellatorkb @ufceurope @m1global @zharafight #bottlecapchallenge #камчатка #хабаровск#спорт#подготовка#сборы#америка#россия#европа#украина#казахстан#беллорусия#минск#команда#Тольковперединешагуназад#самбо#дзюдо#армейскийрукопашныйбой#универсальныйбой#бокс#кикбоксинг#грекоримскаяборьба#вольнаяборьба#слававдв#победа2019

A post shared by Sergey Kharitonov (@kharitonovmma) on

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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.

* * * *

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 video highlights with Vassell’s dominance, father-son Gozali submissions

Bellator was back in Israel this week, and the headliner may have seen the emergence of a new heavyweight threat.

Bellator was back in Israel this week, and the headliner may have seen the emergence of a new heavyweight threat.

In the Bellator 234 main event, Linton Vassell (20-8 MMA, 8-5 BMMA) dominated Sergei Kharitonov (30-8 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) for a second-round TKO win. A win for Kharitonov may have gotten him a shot at heavyweight champion Ryan Bader, but now he’s back to the drawing board – and Vassell, making his return to the division, showed he may be a force to be reckoned with.

The card also featured a pair of Israelis fighting on their home soil. The 46-year-old Haim Gozali (12-6 MMA, 4-3 BMMA) picked up a first-round heel hook submission against Artur Pronin (16-4 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) in his retirement fight. After laying his gloves down, he cornered his 18-year-old son Aviv Gozali (4-0 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) to another first-round submission, an anaconda choke stoppage of Zaka Fatullazade (14-9 MMA, 0-1 BMMA).

Also on the card, Austin Vanderford (9-0 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) stayed unbeaten with a decision win over Grachik Bozinyan (10-4 MMA, 0-1 BMMA). And Sidney Outlaw (14-3 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) outworked Roger Huerta (24-12-1 MMA, 1-5 BMMA) for a decision win.

Check out the video highlights for all five fights on the main card above.

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Bellator 234 took place at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel, and aired on Paramount/DAZN on Friday via tape delay.

Complete Bellator 234 results included:

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

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.

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%)		 kharitonov2019
Kharitonov
(89%)		 outlaw2019
Outlaw
(61%)		 agozali2019
A. Gozali
(69%)		 pronin2019
Pronin
(71%)		 vanderford2019
Vanderford
(87%)
Simon Head
@simonhead
2019: 110-62 (64%)		 kharitonov2019
Kharitonov		 outlaw2019
Outlaw		 agozali2019
A. Gozali		 pronin2019
Pronin		 vanderford2019
Vanderford
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2019: 200-114 (64%)		 kharitonov2019
Kharitonov		 outlaw2019
Outlaw		 agozali2019
A. Gozali		 pronin2019
Pronin		 vanderford2019
Vanderford
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2019: 106-61 (63%)		 kharitonov2019
Kharitonov		 outlaw2019
Outlaw		 agozali2019
A. Gozali		 pronin2019
Pronin		 vanderford2019
Vanderford
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2019: 198-116 (63%)
trophy copy 2018 Champion		 kharitonov2019
Kharitonov		 outlaw2019
Outlaw		 agozali2019
A. Gozali		 pronin2019
Pronin		 vanderford2019
Vanderford
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2019: 197-117 (63%)
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 kharitonov2019
Kharitonov		 outlaw2019
Outlaw		 agozali2019
A. Gozali		 hgozali2019
H. Gozali		 vanderford2019
Vanderford
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2019: 195-119 (62%)		 kharitonov2019
Kharitonov		 outlaw2019
Outlaw		 agozali2019
A. Gozali		 pronin2019
Pronin		 vanderford2019
Vanderford
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2019: 195-119 (62%)		 kharitonov2019
Kharitonov		 outlaw2019
Outlaw		 agozali2019
A. Gozali		 pronin2019
Pronin		 vanderford2019
Vanderford
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2019: 194-120 (62%)
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 kharitonov2019
Kharitonov		 outlaw2019
Outlaw		 agozali2019
A. Gozali		 hgozali2019
H. Gozali		 vanderford2019
Vanderford
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2019: 190-124 (61%)		 kharitonov2019
Kharitonov		 outlaw2019
Outlaw		 agozali2019
A. Gozali		 pronin2019
Pronin		 vanderford2019
Vanderford
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2019: 96-65 (60%)		 kharitonov2019
Kharitonov		 outlaw2019
Outlaw		 agozali2019
A. Gozali		 pronin2019
Pronin		 vanderford2019
Vanderford
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2019: 184-130 (59%)		 kharitonov2019
Kharitonov		 outlaw2019
Outlaw		 agozali2019
A. Gozali		 pronin2019
Pronin		 vanderford2019
Vanderford
Dave Doyle
@davedoylemma
2019: 122-100 (55%)		 kharitonov2019
Kharitonov		 outlaw2019
Outlaw		 agozali2019
A. Gozali		 pronin2019
Pronin		 vanderford2019
Vanderford
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2019: 167-147 (53%)		 vassell2019
Vassell		 huerta2019
Huerta		 agozali2019
A. Gozali		 hgozali2019
H. Gozali		 vanderford2019
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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Defining Fights: Bellator 234 headliner Sergei Kharitonov

MMA Junkie’s Simon Head looks back at six of the key battles from Bellator heavyweight contender Sergei Kharitonov’s illustrious MMA career.

[autotag]Sergei Kharitonov[/autotag] has been throwing hands with the world’s best for more than a decade and a half in a career that has taken him from Russia to Japan to the U.S.

Now set for action in the main event at Bellator 234 in Tel Aviv, Israel, “The Paratrooper” looks to continue his winning run with victory over two-time former light heavyweight title challenger Linton Vassell.

Ahead of his main event clash with the Brit, we take a look back at six of the key fights that helped define the career of one of MMA’s longest-serving heavyweight stalwarts.

Semmy Schilt at PRIDE Critical Countdown – June 20, 2004

Arguably the performance that first put Kharitonov on the map came more than 15 years ago, back in the summer of 2004, when he finished 7-foot-tall Dutch kickboxing legend Semmy Schilt in the first round of their matchup in Japan.

Kharitonov headed into the bout known as a boxer and kickboxer, but he leaned on his ground skills to take decorated kickboxing superstar Schilt off his feet and mount the big Dutchman.

Once on top, Kharitonov methodically proceeded to smash Schilt with heavy-duty ground and pound to eliminate one of the pre-tournament favorites from the lineup and announce himself as a threat to PRIDE’s most dangerous men at heavyweight.

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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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Aviv Gozali says he’ll land Jorge Masvidal flying knee to pick up quickest KO ever at Bellator 234

“I’m going to run with a flying knee. I want to take all the records in the book.”

[autotag]Aviv Gozali[/autotag] isn’t satisfied with simply having the quickest submission in Bellator history under his belt.

Gozali (3-0 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) predicts his opponent, Zaka Fatullazade (14-8 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), will fall victim to the quickest knockout in Bellator history at Bellator 234 on Thursday.

“I’m going to do like (Jorge) Masvidal did,” Gozali told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “I’m going to run with a flying knee. I want to take all the records in the book.”

Aviv isn’t the only Gozali slated to compete at Bellator 234. In the fight immediately prior to his own, his father, Haim Gozali (11-6 MMA, 2-3 BMMA), will fight in what is expected to be the final bout of his professional MMA career.

“He’s fighting one fight before me, so I won’t be able to watch him fight,” Gozali said. “I will be nervous for this fight, but I’m excited because now the Gozali legacy is going to my end. I’m going to continue the legacy and give us the belt soon.”

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In preparation for this fight, Gozali spent time training under Antonio McKee at Team Bodyshop Fitness & MMA in Lakewood, Calif. After one month of working alongside fellow Bellator fighters A.J. McKee and Joey Davis, Gozali returned home to finish out his camp with his father.

“It was a lot of experience,” Gozali said of training at Team Bodyshop. “They are beasts, all of them. They gave me a lot of tools and made them sharper. Now I’m a better fighter.”

With a win at Bellator 234, Gozali hopes to get revenge against fellow welterweight Ryan Couture. The son of MMA legend Randy Couture defeated Gozali’s father twice in 2017 and 2018, respectively – both coming by way of unanimous decision.

“Ryan Couture beat my father twice,” Gozali said. “I want to take revenge. I want to fight against Ryan Couture after.”

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.

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