Cheick Kongo's last couple of fights haven't gone his way. There was the No Contest from an accidental eye poke that he sustained to end his bout with Ryan Bader prematurely in September 2019 and then he dropped a split decision to Timothy Johnson in October 2020.
Kongo will try to bounce back into the win column Friday night, when he clashes with Sergei Kharitonov in the heavyweight main event of Bellator 265. It will all take place live from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The card's co-main event pits exciting featherweight Adam Borics against Jay Jay Wilson.
While Kongo tries to shake off those losses, Kharitonov will be looking to build on a recent win streak in the cage.
After losing to Linton Vassell via second-round TKO in November 2019, the Russian MMA fighter spent time outside of Bellator, having produced a second-round KO of Fernando Rodrigues Jr. at World Total Kombat Federation 5 in February 2020 and a first-round KO of Oli Thompson at MFP Parus Fight Championship in November.
Will Kongo find a way to edge Kharitonov in the cage or will the Russian heavyweight get yet another stoppage victory?
Here's everything you need to know about Bellator 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov.
Bellator 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov
- Date: Friday, Aug. 20
- Main card: 9 p.m. ET/2 a.m. BST
- Main event (approx): 11:00 p.m. ET/4 a.m. BST
Bellator 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov kicks off at 9 p.m. ET/2 a.m. BST before the headliners make their walks to the cage at approximately 11 p.m. ET/4 a.m. BST. Although that depends on the length of the earlier fights.
Bellator 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov TV channel/live stream
- US: Showtime
- UK: BBC iPlayer
MMA fans can watch the Bellator 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov main card live on Showtime in the United States. It can also be live streamed via Showtime's app or website. In the United Kingdom, the card can be seen live on BBC iPlayer.
Where is Bellator 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov?
The card takes place live from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Neither heavyweight has ever fought in South Dakota.
Cheick Kongo record and Bio
- Nationality: French
- Born: May 17, 1975
- Height: 6-4
- Reach: 81 inches
- Total fights: 44
- Record: 30-11-2 with 1 No Contest
Sergei Kharitonov record and Bio
- Nationality: Russian
- Born: Aug. 18, 1980
- Height: 6-4
- Reach: 76 inches
- Total fights: 42
- Record: 32-8 with 2 No Contests
Bellator 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov main card
- Cheick Kongo vs. Sergei Kharitonov; Heavyweight
- Adam Borics vs. Jay Jay Wilson; Featherweight
- Logan Storley vs. Dante Schiro; Welterweight
- Marcelo Golm vs. Billy Swanson; Heavyweight
- Jornel Lugo vs. Keith Lee; Featherweight