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[Cat--Smasher]

Kharitonov open to UFC move, has K-1 offer on table

Sergei Kharitonov is open to a move into the UFC heavyweight division, but only if the money is right.

The Russian veteran, who fights under the banner of famed Dutch academy Golden Glory, is currently signed to Strikeforce. His contract with Strikeforce is non-exclusive, meaning he can compete in other MMA promotions and can also fight in K-1 kickboxing.

Fighters Only spend some time with him recently, travelling from Golden Glory’s home town of Breda to the city of Utrecht where Kharitonov spent the day training with Jon Olav Einemo under the guidance of Martijn de Jong.

“I don’t know what the situation is right now. Strikeforce heavyweight [division] is finished very soon I think. Maybe one more fight for me, I don’t know,” he told Fighters Only when asked for an update on his status.

Regarding a possible move to the UFC, he told us in broken English that he would be open to the move if the finances added up.

“If the UFC contract is for the right money then yes of course its good, its no problem. But the problem with UFC [contract], its exclusive. So no DREAM, no K-1, it means not so many fights and not so much money,” he said.

But K-1 has been struggling recently and is understood to have both run out of money and undergone a schism, with founder Mr Ishii going one way and president Mr Tanigawa going the other. Does it make sense to turn down a UFC offer if K-1 is in such a state?

“For K-1, I am very hopeful, actually I was offered a new contract for K-1. There is some news coming soon,” Kharitnov said, although when asked for details he indicated that he could not say any more at present.

Kharitonov open to UFC move, has K-1 offer on table - Fighters Only

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

At this point, I don't think Kharitonov's in the catbird position to call the shots on this one. He doesn't carry the cache nor the revered skillset for what he would likely get as a freelancer and has been at best over the past few years, inconsistent.

[The8thPlague]

I love watching the dude fight. But I don't see him beating many of the UFC's Top 10.
So yeah, he shouldn't really be calling the shots... especially if K-1 is in financial trouble.

[VimyRidge]

Wasn't he the last man to beat the man who just beat the man "people" 3 years ago were calling the greatest heavyweight in the world.

I don't think Kharitonov is going to do well against a good wrestler (ex: Cain and maybe Carwin), but I can see him beating a lot of guys in the UFC. I think he has a good chance against Mir.

[Repenter]

he has a good chance against mir, would kick kongo's ass, and may be able to beat down carwin. another fight with AO would be a tossup, but overeem has improved much more than kharitonov in the past few years. i don't see him touching cain or JDS. he performed exactly as i predicted he would in the SFHWGP.

[beau420]

Kharitonov looked like a rookie against Barnett.

Sucks. I like Kharitonov, but I think he is too old for a transition full time to the best MMA organization. And on the other hand, we have K-1 which cancelled their last event, and they haven't had an event since 2011-09-25....only having 3 events last year.

And in two of those events, they were all Japanese fighters and only had one super fight, Yoshihiro Sato vs Albert Kraus.

K-1 also had a local event in Madrid that only had local guys.

I love K-1. But to be honest, I am not sure if they will have an event this year....or ever again.

[Y2JUBAE]

I really hope he signs with UFC, they would really have some great matchups with him on the roster.

You may have less fights with UFC, can't fight anywhere else, but if you do good, the exposure and sponsors alone will more than make it worth your while money-wise.

[Pasha K]

Kharitonov was one of the best fighters in the world back in Pride. However he has gained a lot of weigh and despite that he is a very strong puncher and has very good boxing skills, his ground game is not good enough.

In K-1 I don't see him having a lot of success, he is a good striker, but not enough to compete with the likes of Badr Hari, Gokhan Saki or Semmy Schilt (He KOd Overeem 4 years ago, he is the only one who has defeated Overeem at HW though).

The last thing I remember reading about K-1 is that they are in bankrupcy and they owe a lot of money to many fighters.

It would be better for Kharitonov to go to the UFC. He would most likely lose to any decent wrestler, but his striking skills are good enough to compete with anyone. Even with Alistair and JDS.