A kick to the groin by Matt Mitrione ended Sergei Kharitonov’s night early at Bellator 215, putting a damper on what had been a promising main event.
In the main event of Bellator 215 on Friday night, the heavyweights were in action, with knockout artists taking the spotlight. The first of back-to-back shows at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville saw Matt Mitrione face Sergei Kharitonov. Mitrione had been bounced from the heavyweight grand prix by eventual winner Ryan Bader. Yet a win against the always dangerous Kharitonov, who had recently turned the lights out on Roy Nelson, would put him right back in the hunt.
‘Meathead’ Mitrone came out swinging, a little wildly, throwing himself well out of position. Yet the first significant blow to land was a dead-center low blow kick that sent Kharitonov to the canvas in severe pain. The grimace on his face made it clear that the fight wouldn’t be continuing. If that didn’t make it clear, the fact that medical staff had to come in and check on him should have. Soon enough, the fight was waved off, a disappointing ending to a promising fight. Kharitonov had to be removed from the cage on a stretcher, giving some idea of the severity of the low blow landed.
Matt Mitrione vs. Sergei Kharitonov ends in a No Contest at 0:15 of Round 1 (unintentional foul)
