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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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?

Bellator 234 pre-event facts: Roger Huerta seeks first Bellator win since 2010

Check out all the facts and figures about Bellator 234, which takes place Thursday with a Sergei Kharitonov vs. Linton Vassell main event.

Bellator’s busy November continues this week with Bellator 234, which takes place Thursday at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel, but won’t air until Friday on Paramount via tape-delay.

A heavyweight matchup serves as the main event of the card. [autotag]Sergei Kharitonov[/autotag] (29-6 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) will look to inch close to getting a fight for Bellator gold, while [autotag]Linton Vassell[/autotag] (18-8 MMA, 7-5 BMMA) looks to get his first win since moving up to the heavyweight division earlier this year.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 16 pre-event facts about Bellator 234.

* * * *

Main event

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Kharitonov is 11-1 (with two no contests) in his past 14 fights dating back to September 2011.

Kharitonov’s five-fight Bellator unbeaten streak at heavyweight is tied for the third longest active streak in the division behind Cheick Kongo (nine) and Tyrell Fortune (eight).

Kharitonov has earned 27 of his 29 career victories by stoppage. That includes all three of his Bellator wins.

Kharitonov vs. Matt Mitrione at Bellator 215 marked the third shortest no contest in Bellator/UFC/WEC/Strikeforce/PRIDE combined history at just 15 seconds. Only Marius Zaromskis vs. Waachim Spiritwolf (6 seconds) at Strikeforce Challengers 12 and Kevin Casey vs. Antonio Carlos Junior (11 seconds) at UFC Fight Night 80 were faster.

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Vassell’s three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since May 2017.

Vassell was unsuccessful in his heavyweight debut when he lost a decision to Valentin Moldavsky at Bellator 218 in March.

Vassell’s seven victories in Bellator light-heavyweight competition are tied for fourth most in divisional history behind Liam McGeary (nine), Phil Davis (eight) and Emanuel Newton (eight).

Vassell’s three submission victories in Bellator light-heavyweight competition are tied with four other fighters for most in divisional history.

Co-main event

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[autotag]Roger Huerta[/autotag] (24-11-1 MMA, 1-4 BMMA) is 0-2 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 is 4-10 in his past 14 fights dating back to August 2008.

Remaining main card

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[autotag]Olga Rubin[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 4-1 BMMA) competes in her sixth Bellator women’s featherweight bout, the third most appearances in divisional history behind Arlene Blencowe (nine) and Julia Budd (seven).

[autotag]Sinead Kavanagh[/autotag] (5-4 MMA, 2-4 BMMA) is 1-3 since she moved up to the Bellator women’s featherweight division.

[autotag]Grachik Bozinyan[/autotag] (10-3 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) is the youngest of the eight scheduled main card fighters.

Bozinyan has earned all 10 of his career victories by stoppage. He’s finished seven of those wins in Round 1.

[autotag]Aviv Gozali[/autotag]’s (3-0 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) 11-second submission win at Bellator 225 stands as the fastest in company history.

Gozali, at 18, became the youngest fighter to earn a bellator win at Bellator 209 in November 2018.

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: