Cheick Kongo submitted veteran Russian heavyweight Sergei Kharitonov at the Bellator 265 main event.
It took place at Sanford Pentagon. The main card aired on Showtime.
Entering Round 2, things didn’t look great for Kongo. Throughout the first 5 minutes, he was stalked, jabbed, and even poked in the eye with an errant toe on a kick. However, midway through Round 2, Kongo flipped the script and hurt Kharitonov with a series of punches.
With his opponent against the cage and seemingly still stunned, Kongo elected to shoot for a takedown, which he managed to secure.
Once on the mat, Kongo worked to mount and Kharitonov rolled, which exposed his neck. As the clock winded down, Kongo snuck in a rear-naked choke attempt. The tap came with one second left in Round 2.
🔥 @Kongo4real beats the bell and makes Sergei Kharitonov tap before the end of the 2️⃣nd round!#Bellator265 pic.twitter.com/PnU04aeLUz
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) August 21, 2021
Complete Bellator 265 results:
MAIN CARD
Cheick Kongo def. Sergei Kharitonov via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:59
Logan Storley def. Dante Schiro via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Marcelo Golm def. Billy Swanson via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:57
Jornel Lugo def. Keith Lee via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 5:00
PRELIMINARY CARD
Fabio Aguiar def. Taylor Johnson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Mike Hamel def. Bryce Logan via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Archie Colgan def. Ben Simons via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:04
Duane Johnson def. Deven Fisher via submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 1, 1:04
Bailey Schoenfelder def. Kory Moegenburg via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:11
