Sherdog.com Preview: PRIDE 31 “Unbreakable”
Sergei Kharitonov vs. Alistair Overeem
Feb 24, 2006
KHARITONOV: Russian Sambo Champion Sergei Kharitonov
(Pictures) is 13-1 in MMA and makes
his ninth appearance in the PFC (8-1). He trains with Volk Han, Mikhail Illoukhine
(Pictures), Bazigit Atajev and the rest of
the Russian Top Team and had trained with Fedor and Aleksander Emelianenko
(Pictures) prior to their leaving for
the Red Devil Fight Club.
Like most Russian fighters, Kharitonov has military training that provided him with the foundation to take it to the next level and compete in MMA. He suffered a loss early in his career in 1998 at the Scandinavian NHB Championships where he was stopped with strikes. He competed two years later in the Yalta’s Brilliant 2000 tournament in the Ukraine and won three bouts. Then he returned to dominate his opponents in the Tournament of Real Men 8. Kharitonov’s combined fight time for both bouts was under two minutes.
He debuted in Japan at PRIDE Bushido 1 against Jason Nobunaga. The
Russian made quick work of his Aussie opponent, submitting him via
armbar in less than three minutes. At PRIDE 27 he battled Cory Peterson (Pictures). The “LA Giant” got in a few
punches for his effort but was manhandled and submitted via armbar
less than two minutes into the first round.
Kharitonov’s first big test was against Murilo Rua (Pictures) in the opening round of the PRIDE’s 2004 heavyweight tournament. “Ninja” looked heavy and out of shape but this was possibly the best bout of the opening round. There was no feeling-out period here as Rua came out kicking and Kharitonov showed his heavy hands, tagging Murilo repeatedly.
Kharitonov pounded away at Dutchman Semmy Schilt (Pictures) and showed good control on the ground. He stopped Semmy with strikes late in the first round. Kharitonov then fought “Minotauro” in the semifinals of the PFC GP tournament. He showed his skills against the former PRIDE champion and continued to surprise many with his composure. The fight went the distance but Kharitonov fully established himself as a legitimate threat for the title in the heavyweight division.
Choi Mu Bae fell victim to the Russian’s strikes at PRIDE 29 and then he sent Pedro Rizzo (Pictures) packing from the 2005 Critical Countdown show. And in a surprising appearance, Kharitonov made a pit stop to submit Peter Mulder at a RINGS Russia event in August of ‘05. Last October at PRIDE 30, Kharitonov had his hands full but swayed the judges and won a split decision over Fabricio Werdum (Pictures).
OVEREEM: Dutch kickboxer Alistair Overeem (Pictures) carries a 21-6 record in MMA. The “Demolition Man” trains Holland and started competing in wrestling at 16. He also carries a 7-1-1 record in kickboxing.
Overeem began fighting MMA in the “It’s Showtime” promotion in Holland where he faced RINGS veteran Ricardo Fyeet. There he vanquished Fyeet in the first round with a rear-naked choke.
Overeem entered the 1999 RINGS King of Kings tournament and battled Russian Top Team member Iouri Kotchkine for the first time (they met again in RINGS Russia). Kotchkine was able to control him on the feet with strikes and on the ground with wrestling to take a decisive decision.
He bounced between the RINGS Holland event, 2 Hot 2 Handle shows and the original RINGS promotion in Japan. Overeem fought Bobby Hoffman (Pictures) in the RINGS Millennium Combine 2 show but with just 23 seconds left in the round, Hoffman threw a heavy overhand right, knocking him out. He continued to score wins in both promotions, including a victory Roman Zentosov by keylock.
Overeem competed in the K-1 Lumber Jack Returns show in 2001, losing by TKO to Errol Parris in a kickboxing bout. Then he made his PFC debut against Yusuke Imamura, winning in less than a minute.
At the 2H2H 5 event Overeem won a four-man tournament and then choked out Aaron Brink (Pictures) at 2H2H 6. In his next trip to Japan, Overeem took on highly touted Russian striker (13-0 as a pro at the time) Bazigit Atajev at PRIDE 24. He struck with “Volk” Atajev and connected with a knee to the body that stopped the bout just prior to the second round bell.
The lanky Dutchman clobbered “Batman” Mike Bencic (Pictures) at PRIDE 26 to get on the “Total Elimination” card but was knocked out by current UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell (Pictures) in the first round.
Overeem scored a win at Antonio Inoki’s New Year’s Eve 2003 show and went back to Holland to choke out Rodney Faverus. At PRIDE 28 he cut Hiromitsu Kanehara (Pictures) late in the second round for the win but he lost a decision to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Pictures) at PRIDE 29.
Overeem opened the PRIDE FC 2005 middleweight tournament as a dark horse and not much of a threat to do any serious damage but damage he did. Not only was he able to pound Vitor Belfort (Pictures), he submitted the Brazilian in the closing minute of the first round. In the quarterfinals Overeem submitted Igor Vovchanchyn (Pictures), using the same guillotine choke early in the first round. He faced eventual middleweight GP winner Mauricio Rua (Pictures) in the next round and hung with the champ for nearly seven minutes before being stopped with strikes.
MY PICK: Kharitonov. This is the fight of the night people. Both fighters are well rounded and I’m quite certain the stand-up exchanges in this one will make highlight reels for years to come. Overeem has always been known as a competent stand-up fighter and will likely be the most dangerous striker Kharitonov has faced. Remember, Rizzo is only 6’ 1” (Overeem is 6’ 5”) and Pedro has slowed down some. Overeem has added serious submission skills to his arsenal too. I think Sergei can pull out the win but it won’t easy. All it takes is one big knee from Alistair to set the wheels in motion. Kharitonov by TKO in the third round.
Like most Russian fighters, Kharitonov has military training that provided him with the foundation to take it to the next level and compete in MMA. He suffered a loss early in his career in 1998 at the Scandinavian NHB Championships where he was stopped with strikes. He competed two years later in the Yalta’s Brilliant 2000 tournament in the Ukraine and won three bouts. Then he returned to dominate his opponents in the Tournament of Real Men 8. Kharitonov’s combined fight time for both bouts was under two minutes.
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Kharitonov’s first big test was against Murilo Rua (Pictures) in the opening round of the PRIDE’s 2004 heavyweight tournament. “Ninja” looked heavy and out of shape but this was possibly the best bout of the opening round. There was no feeling-out period here as Rua came out kicking and Kharitonov showed his heavy hands, tagging Murilo repeatedly.
Late in the round the Russian fighter took over, beating the
Brazilian to the punch and picking apart his defense. Kharitonov
caught Rua with a right hook to the head and finished him with a
left uppercut.
Kharitonov pounded away at Dutchman Semmy Schilt (Pictures) and showed good control on the ground. He stopped Semmy with strikes late in the first round. Kharitonov then fought “Minotauro” in the semifinals of the PFC GP tournament. He showed his skills against the former PRIDE champion and continued to surprise many with his composure. The fight went the distance but Kharitonov fully established himself as a legitimate threat for the title in the heavyweight division.
Choi Mu Bae fell victim to the Russian’s strikes at PRIDE 29 and then he sent Pedro Rizzo (Pictures) packing from the 2005 Critical Countdown show. And in a surprising appearance, Kharitonov made a pit stop to submit Peter Mulder at a RINGS Russia event in August of ‘05. Last October at PRIDE 30, Kharitonov had his hands full but swayed the judges and won a split decision over Fabricio Werdum (Pictures).
OVEREEM: Dutch kickboxer Alistair Overeem (Pictures) carries a 21-6 record in MMA. The “Demolition Man” trains Holland and started competing in wrestling at 16. He also carries a 7-1-1 record in kickboxing.
Overeem began fighting MMA in the “It’s Showtime” promotion in Holland where he faced RINGS veteran Ricardo Fyeet. There he vanquished Fyeet in the first round with a rear-naked choke.
Overeem entered the 1999 RINGS King of Kings tournament and battled Russian Top Team member Iouri Kotchkine for the first time (they met again in RINGS Russia). Kotchkine was able to control him on the feet with strikes and on the ground with wrestling to take a decisive decision.
He bounced between the RINGS Holland event, 2 Hot 2 Handle shows and the original RINGS promotion in Japan. Overeem fought Bobby Hoffman (Pictures) in the RINGS Millennium Combine 2 show but with just 23 seconds left in the round, Hoffman threw a heavy overhand right, knocking him out. He continued to score wins in both promotions, including a victory Roman Zentosov by keylock.
Overeem competed in the K-1 Lumber Jack Returns show in 2001, losing by TKO to Errol Parris in a kickboxing bout. Then he made his PFC debut against Yusuke Imamura, winning in less than a minute.
At the 2H2H 5 event Overeem won a four-man tournament and then choked out Aaron Brink (Pictures) at 2H2H 6. In his next trip to Japan, Overeem took on highly touted Russian striker (13-0 as a pro at the time) Bazigit Atajev at PRIDE 24. He struck with “Volk” Atajev and connected with a knee to the body that stopped the bout just prior to the second round bell.
The lanky Dutchman clobbered “Batman” Mike Bencic (Pictures) at PRIDE 26 to get on the “Total Elimination” card but was knocked out by current UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell (Pictures) in the first round.
Overeem scored a win at Antonio Inoki’s New Year’s Eve 2003 show and went back to Holland to choke out Rodney Faverus. At PRIDE 28 he cut Hiromitsu Kanehara (Pictures) late in the second round for the win but he lost a decision to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Pictures) at PRIDE 29.
Overeem opened the PRIDE FC 2005 middleweight tournament as a dark horse and not much of a threat to do any serious damage but damage he did. Not only was he able to pound Vitor Belfort (Pictures), he submitted the Brazilian in the closing minute of the first round. In the quarterfinals Overeem submitted Igor Vovchanchyn (Pictures), using the same guillotine choke early in the first round. He faced eventual middleweight GP winner Mauricio Rua (Pictures) in the next round and hung with the champ for nearly seven minutes before being stopped with strikes.
MY PICK: Kharitonov. This is the fight of the night people. Both fighters are well rounded and I’m quite certain the stand-up exchanges in this one will make highlight reels for years to come. Overeem has always been known as a competent stand-up fighter and will likely be the most dangerous striker Kharitonov has faced. Remember, Rizzo is only 6’ 1” (Overeem is 6’ 5”) and Pedro has slowed down some. Overeem has added serious submission skills to his arsenal too. I think Sergei can pull out the win but it won’t easy. All it takes is one big knee from Alistair to set the wheels in motion. Kharitonov by TKO in the third round.
