Mixed style fights in Russia today are no longer just a sport. They can rightfully be considered one of the fastest growing martial arts in the Federation. It goes without saying that in any martial art there are those people who will stand at its origins. Among the Russian athletes, one of such places was assigned by a man named Sergey Kharitonov. His active sporting life allows him to promote MMA throughout the country, drawing attention to these competitions not only officials, but also the younger generation.
Some facts about the fighter
Kharitonov Sergey born August 18, 1980 in the Arkhangelsk region, the city of Plesetsk. His family was quite athletic. My father was engaged in boxing, football and ice skating. Mother was a volleyball coach. Therefore, it is logical that, seeing such a positive way of life for his parents, Sergey began to copy their behavior and also went on a sports path.
He began to walk in the boxing, wrestling, kickboxing sections, gradually choosing for himself what was closest to him. In the neighboring city of Mirny, a young man mastered the skills of
army hand-to-hand combat.First successes
Already in the period until 1997 Sergey Kharitonov became a multiple winner of tournaments both in Russia and in the international arena among young men.
In 1997, the athlete became a cadet of the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School. Throughout the entire period of training, he was a full and permanent captain of the airborne national team in hand-to-hand combat.
The beginning of a professional career
In 2000, Kharitonov Sergey seeks to get into the Olympic boxing team, but due to injury he did not succeed. But the same year was the starting year for a fighter in MMA fights. He wins the rather respected Yalta Diamond tournament. Sergei earns his first fee for a fight with Zamir Syrgybaev, sending him a knockout. The semifinal fight was also successful. Kharitonov will knock out Vyacheslav Kolesnik already in the first minute. In the final, the young talent was opposed by the eminent Roman Savochka, who during the battle received a hand injury, and Kharitonov won the victory.
In 2002 Sergey received an invitation to join the Russian Top Team and gave a positive answer to it. In parallel, in 2003, Kharitonov performed in amateur boxing and took second place in the Central Asian Games.
Performances in MMA
In 2004, the fighter Sergey Kharitonov fights with a fighter from Los Angeles nicknamed Giant and wins against him by a painful trick.
This fight contributed to the promotion of Sergey in the PRIDE Grand Prix. Speaking in heavyweight, Kharitonov in his first fight at the tournament met with Brazilian Murilo Hua. The Russian had a rather tired look, but still was able to knock out his opponent, thanks to which he goes on.
In the quarterfinal, Sergei defeated Dutchman Sammy Schilt by technical knockout. In the semifinals, our fighter fell into legend - Antonio Rodrigo Nogeiroi and lost to the Brazilian on points.
In 2005, Sergey defeated the titled Pedro Hizzo, and two months after this fight, speaking in Yekaterinburg, Kharitonov literally crushed Peter Mulder.
It is noteworthy that in the same year, Kharitonov won on points against the current UFC champion Fabricio Verdum.
Offensive lesions
There are practically no professionals without losses. And the battles of Sergey Kharitonov were no exception. Participating in the PRIDE 31 tournament, an athlete from Russia loses to the Dutch martial arts star Alistair Overeem. In addition, in this fight, Sergey was also injured, injuring his elbow during a fall.
Another fiasco of Kharitonov is his loss to Alexander Emelianenko at the 2006 Grand Prix.
A new round of sports development
In 2007, Pride became the property of Zuffa. Kharitonov, in turn, begins cooperation with the company Fighting and Entertainment Group, which held tournaments under the auspices of DREAM, Hero's, K-1. And already in his debut under the wing of the new promoter Kharitonov holds an excellent rematch with Overeem and wins against him.
In the same period, the Russian Top Team team ceases to exist, and Sergey transfers to the famous Dutch club Golden Glory. Here, some of his former rivals and at the same time the stars of world martial arts become his teammates.
At the DREAM tournament, Sergey defeats the American Jimmy Ambritz. But already in the next fight Kharitonov, unfortunately for many of his fans, breaks his teeth about another US citizen Jeff Monson. After this battle, the Russian takes a rather long one and a half year pause.
Return to battle
Kharitonov returns to MMA again at the end of 2010, having won the battle with the Japanese Tatsui Mizuno as part of the Dynamite 2010 tournament.
One of the most significant victories of Kharitonov in his career as a fighter can be considered as such over Andrei Orlovsky in the Strikeforce promotion, which took place in the USA in 2011 as part of the Grand Prix.
Sergey Kharitonov, whose last fight is dated July 3, 2015, often prefers boxing technique in his fights. His punches inflict crushing damage to opponents, not only injuring them, but also knocking out. In addition, Kharitonov is characterized by perseverance and aggressiveness, he is never afraid to engage in exchanges with rivals. In MMA fights, Sergei does not neglect the "dirty" technique, entering the clinch with his opponent, holding him tight and delivering blows to him.
A striking example is the battle " Sergey Kharitonov against Kenny Garner." In it, the Russian won in the first round by technical knockout.
As for the personal life of a fighter from Russia, he is married and has a son. Therefore, we can very well hope for the continuation of the sports dynasty.