Sergei Kharitonov

Sergei Valerievich Kharitonov (Russian: Серге́й Вале́рьевич Харито́нов, romanized: Sergéj Valér'jevich Kharitónov, IPA: [sʲɪrˈɡʲej xərʲɪˈtonəf]; born August 18, 1980) is a Russian professional heavyweight mixed martial artist and former kickboxer. A professional MMA competitor since 2000, Kharitonov has previously fought in Japanese MMA organizations PRIDE Fighting Championships & DREAM (Both in Japan), Bellator MMA, M-1 Global, Strikeforce, and GLORY.

Kharitonov has competed in two major mixed martial arts tournaments and one major kickboxing tournament. He holds notable wins over former EliteXC Middleweight Champion Murilo Rua, former K-1 Champion Semmy Schilt, former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem, and former UFC Heavyweight Champions Andrei Arlovski and Fabrício Werdum. Sergei Kharitonov was born on August 18, 1980, in Plesetsk, Russian SFSR, (now Russia). His parents were very athletic: Sergei's mother was a volleyball coach, and his father at various times studied boxing, skating, football, and long distance marathon running. Under their influence, Sergei was very active physically while growing up.

Kharitonov graduated from a high school with a specialization in music (accordion). Following the advice of his parents as well as his own dreams, Sergei went to the Ryazan Guards Higher Airborne Command School, and enlisted in the Russian Airborne Troops after finishing the academy. Kharitonov credits the army and the academy with giving him psychological skills he relies on during his fights.

Until resigning from the military in the late 2010s, Sergei remained on the active duty while training full-time. His military rank is captain.Kharitonov sometimes gets confused with his full namesake Sergey Haritonov, a much less prominent mixed martial arts fighter from Estonia.