Bellator 225: Kharitonov Stops Mitrione

There may have been a mouthpiece issue and an early finish, but there’s no controversy this time around, as Sergei Kharitonov bested Matt Mitrione in the main event of Bellator 225.

Kharitonov was initially troubled to start the bout, struggling to handle Mitrione’s pressure and speedy combinations. Kharitonov managed to answer back once he was able to start landing to the body, and the two exchanged throughout the first five minutes.

Mitrione had trouble keeping his mouthpiece in, losing it three times in round one and getting warned for a possible point deduction. That would not be needed, however, as Kharitonov connected with two right uppercuts in the second round that dropped and finished Mitrione.

PRIDE's legendary paratrooper, Sergei Kharitonov (30-7, 2 NC), is now unbeaten in 8 straight bouts, repeatedly bobbling Matt Mitrione's mouthpiece en route to a brutal, second-round salvo! The 39-year-old has stopped 28, 19 by knockout. And #Bellator225 ends with all finishes. pic.twitter.com/Yf7O9bOwLB

— Kyle Johnson (@VonPreux) August 25, 2019

Bellator 225 Main Card (DAZN/Paramount Network, 9 p.m. ET):
Sergei Kharitonov def. Matt Mitrione via TKO (Rd. 2, 1:24)
Vitaly Minakov def. Tim Johnson via KO (Rd. 1, 1:45)
Alejandra Lara def. Taylor Turner via TKO (Rd. 1, 3:44)
Yaroslav Amosov def. David Rickels via submission (D’Arce choke) (Rd. 2, 4:05)
Tyrell Fortune def. Rudy Schaffroth via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 2, 2:08)