Kickass32
07-18-2011, 04:05 PM
http://www.fiveknuckles.com/assets/images/articles/z_d0981b73.jpg
Sergei Kharitonov talks MMA career and Fedor Emelianenko
[/URL]
(http://www.facebook.com/pages/FiveKnucklescom/161623781048)
by Hubert Lau (http://mmacrypt.com/mma-writer/hubert2883.html) on July 18, 2011
Sergei Kharitonov (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Sergei-Kharitonov.html) is a name that might not be as recognizable as Chuck Liddell (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Chuck-Liddell.html) or Jon Jones (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Jon-Jones.html) here in the western hemisphere. For the 11 year veteran of Pride FC and Dream, Kharitonov's upcoming bout with Josh Barnett (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Josh-Barnett.html) might be the coming-out party to show the American fans what "The Russian Mercenary" is all about.
Kharitonov is currently expected to fight Barnett in Strikeforce's heavyweight grand prix semifinals after defeating Andrei Arlovski (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Andrei-Arlovski.html) in the quarterfinal round earlier this year via knockout late in the first round. Going into the bout, Arlovski's former UFC heavyweight title and fan support did little to faze Kharitonov who brought a competitive fight and dropped Arlovski with a right hand. The ensuing ground and pound was all it took to seal a victory for Kharitonov.
"There was nothing extraordinary in my bout with Arlovski, I can't mark it out from my other victories. It's too early to celebrate, the main events are ahead. I'll be glad when I put the belt on." Kharitonov said.
Helping him prepare for the Arlovski bout and his upcoming fight with Barnett is his teammates at the Golden Glory gym based out of Breda, Netherlands.
"The whole Golden Glory team helps me with my preparation. We always work all together...All is clockwork."
Among his teammates is fellow heavyweight, Alistair Overeem (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Alistair-Overeem.html), who is also a part of the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix and is scheduled to fight Antonio Silva (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Antonio-Silva.html).
"He (Overeem) is much more experienced, in my opinion, and he is also my teammate so I have no doubts about his victory." Kharitonov explained concerning the Overeem vs. Silva match-up.
Kharitonov and Overeem are poised for a rubber match if both men can defeat their respective opponents. Their last meeting was at a 2007 Hero's MMA event in Japan where Kharitonov defeated Overeem via knockout in the opening round. Semmy Schilt (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Semmy-Schilt.html), Murilo Rua (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Murilo-Rua.html), Fabricio Werdum (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Fabricio-Werdum.html) and Pedro Rizzo (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Pedro-Rizzo.html) are other notable victories for Kharitonov who built a 18-5 record predominantly by fighting in various Japanese promotions. He is currently 5-1 in six fights, riding a two fight win streak and represents one of Russia's top MMA talents.
Fellow countrymen and longtime heavyweight untouchable, Fedor Emelianenko (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Fedor-Emelianenko.html) is seemingly slipping towards the other end of that spectrum given his recent losses to Fabricio Werdum (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Fabricio-Werdum.html) and Antonio Silva (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Antonio-Silva.html). UFC president, Dana White, as well as others in the MMA community has questioned Emelianenko's legacy and his former "unbeatable" billing.
"Actually Fedor had losses before: he lost combat sambo world championship, he lost to Kohsaka, he almost lost to Ricardo Arona (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Ricardo-Arona.html); the fight was even and victory could be given to any fighter. He had been defeated, they just didn't put it in the window."
Emelianenko is looking to snap his two fight skid with a win over Dan Henderson (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Dan-Henderson.html) who has gone 5-1 over six fights and is also coming off to stoppage wins over Renato Sobral (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Renato-Sobral.html) and Rafael Cavalcante (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Rafael-Cavalcante.html), the latter won him Strikeforce's light heavyweight championship.
"If Fedor loses to Hendo, he has to finish with the sport. Henderson is not a super heavyweight as Fedor, he is 42 already, that's why Fedor has to win. I think this is a chance for Fedor to rehabilitate himself."
Emelianenko and Henderson are scheduled to headline the July 30 Strikeforce event while Kharitonov's own bout with Barnett remains in the near future. The semifinals round will mark just the third time the Russian native... would be fighting on American soil.
"I've been thinking about it and, being honest, I'd like to score a success in US but not now, a little bit later...Maybe they (UFC) would make me a proposal I cannot refuse and we will sign a contract."
Hypothetically, if the addition of Kharitonov into the UFC's rosters occurred immediately, he will no doubt bolster the already talented division. Match-ups vary but for Kharitonov he simply desires to fight the best, pointing to Cain Velasquez (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Cain-Velasquez.html) as the fight he wants if he was to join the UFC.
"I'd like to tell all my fans how much I appreciate your support..I believe there are many good fighters in Russia, many 'Fedors' and 'Kharitonovs'. And there are some fighters even better than us, the deal is that they need a promotion; they need to train and to be worked with. And if some new stars would appear, I'd love to assist them."
"I feel a great responsibility now. When Fedor was in Grand Prix it was easier for us ‘cause we both are from Russia and we present our country, our motherland. And now I am alone there and I realize that I have to train much harder to show a good fight at least. We will break them."
[URL]http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news/2-4849/Sergei-Kharitonov-talks-MMA-career-and-Fedor-Emelianenko.html
Sergei Kharitonov talks MMA career and Fedor Emelianenko
[/URL]
(http://www.facebook.com/pages/FiveKnucklescom/161623781048)
by Hubert Lau (http://mmacrypt.com/mma-writer/hubert2883.html) on July 18, 2011
Sergei Kharitonov (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Sergei-Kharitonov.html) is a name that might not be as recognizable as Chuck Liddell (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Chuck-Liddell.html) or Jon Jones (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Jon-Jones.html) here in the western hemisphere. For the 11 year veteran of Pride FC and Dream, Kharitonov's upcoming bout with Josh Barnett (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Josh-Barnett.html) might be the coming-out party to show the American fans what "The Russian Mercenary" is all about.
Kharitonov is currently expected to fight Barnett in Strikeforce's heavyweight grand prix semifinals after defeating Andrei Arlovski (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Andrei-Arlovski.html) in the quarterfinal round earlier this year via knockout late in the first round. Going into the bout, Arlovski's former UFC heavyweight title and fan support did little to faze Kharitonov who brought a competitive fight and dropped Arlovski with a right hand. The ensuing ground and pound was all it took to seal a victory for Kharitonov.
"There was nothing extraordinary in my bout with Arlovski, I can't mark it out from my other victories. It's too early to celebrate, the main events are ahead. I'll be glad when I put the belt on." Kharitonov said.
Helping him prepare for the Arlovski bout and his upcoming fight with Barnett is his teammates at the Golden Glory gym based out of Breda, Netherlands.
"The whole Golden Glory team helps me with my preparation. We always work all together...All is clockwork."
Among his teammates is fellow heavyweight, Alistair Overeem (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Alistair-Overeem.html), who is also a part of the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix and is scheduled to fight Antonio Silva (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Antonio-Silva.html).
"He (Overeem) is much more experienced, in my opinion, and he is also my teammate so I have no doubts about his victory." Kharitonov explained concerning the Overeem vs. Silva match-up.
Kharitonov and Overeem are poised for a rubber match if both men can defeat their respective opponents. Their last meeting was at a 2007 Hero's MMA event in Japan where Kharitonov defeated Overeem via knockout in the opening round. Semmy Schilt (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Semmy-Schilt.html), Murilo Rua (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Murilo-Rua.html), Fabricio Werdum (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Fabricio-Werdum.html) and Pedro Rizzo (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Pedro-Rizzo.html) are other notable victories for Kharitonov who built a 18-5 record predominantly by fighting in various Japanese promotions. He is currently 5-1 in six fights, riding a two fight win streak and represents one of Russia's top MMA talents.
Fellow countrymen and longtime heavyweight untouchable, Fedor Emelianenko (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Fedor-Emelianenko.html) is seemingly slipping towards the other end of that spectrum given his recent losses to Fabricio Werdum (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Fabricio-Werdum.html) and Antonio Silva (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Antonio-Silva.html). UFC president, Dana White, as well as others in the MMA community has questioned Emelianenko's legacy and his former "unbeatable" billing.
"Actually Fedor had losses before: he lost combat sambo world championship, he lost to Kohsaka, he almost lost to Ricardo Arona (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Ricardo-Arona.html); the fight was even and victory could be given to any fighter. He had been defeated, they just didn't put it in the window."
Emelianenko is looking to snap his two fight skid with a win over Dan Henderson (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Dan-Henderson.html) who has gone 5-1 over six fights and is also coming off to stoppage wins over Renato Sobral (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Renato-Sobral.html) and Rafael Cavalcante (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Rafael-Cavalcante.html), the latter won him Strikeforce's light heavyweight championship.
"If Fedor loses to Hendo, he has to finish with the sport. Henderson is not a super heavyweight as Fedor, he is 42 already, that's why Fedor has to win. I think this is a chance for Fedor to rehabilitate himself."
Emelianenko and Henderson are scheduled to headline the July 30 Strikeforce event while Kharitonov's own bout with Barnett remains in the near future. The semifinals round will mark just the third time the Russian native... would be fighting on American soil.
"I've been thinking about it and, being honest, I'd like to score a success in US but not now, a little bit later...Maybe they (UFC) would make me a proposal I cannot refuse and we will sign a contract."
Hypothetically, if the addition of Kharitonov into the UFC's rosters occurred immediately, he will no doubt bolster the already talented division. Match-ups vary but for Kharitonov he simply desires to fight the best, pointing to Cain Velasquez (http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Cain-Velasquez.html) as the fight he wants if he was to join the UFC.
"I'd like to tell all my fans how much I appreciate your support..I believe there are many good fighters in Russia, many 'Fedors' and 'Kharitonovs'. And there are some fighters even better than us, the deal is that they need a promotion; they need to train and to be worked with. And if some new stars would appear, I'd love to assist them."
"I feel a great responsibility now. When Fedor was in Grand Prix it was easier for us ‘cause we both are from Russia and we present our country, our motherland. And now I am alone there and I realize that I have to train much harder to show a good fight at least. We will break them."
[URL]http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news/2-4849/Sergei-Kharitonov-talks-MMA-career-and-Fedor-Emelianenko.html