successful return for Cheick Kongo, winner of Sergei Kharitonov

Beaten in his last split decision fight against American Timothy Johnson in October 2020, during the first major mixed martial arts (MMA) event in France, Cheick Kongo returned to victory on Friday August 20. During the Bellator 265, in Sioux Falls in South Dakota, the French heavyweight won against Sergei Kharitonov. Touched during the first round, the French recovered during the second round. His punches and knees shook the Russian, who found himself on the ground and held on for a long time before throwing in the towel, as Kongo practiced a rear choke (submission). At 46, Cheick Kongo is still hoping for a chance to fight current Bellator heavyweight champion American Ryan Bader again. Their first face-to-face, in September 2019, ended prematurely on a no-contest match due to an accident, when Kongo had unwittingly put a finger in Bader’s eye.