No low blow would end the rematch between Sergei Kharitonov and Matt Mitrione early at Bellator 225, as Kharitonov stopped the heavyweight fight with his hands.
Kharitonov earned a second round TKO victory over Mitrione in the main event live on Paramount Network and DAZN. The stoppage came at 1:24, as Kharitonov improved to 30-7 overall in his career. Mitrione fell to 13-7 with the defeat.
The two met earlier this year, with the fight being called off seconds into it after Mitrione connected on an accidental low blow. The rematch was ordered, and the Russian came through with flying colors. Related: Bellator 225: Sergei Kharitonov Has Feeling Win Leads To Title Shot (Exclusive)
Former Champion Picks Up Victory
In the co-main event, Vitaly Minakov earned a first round victory over Tim Johnson, as the former Bellator heavyweight champion improved to 22-1 in his career.
Alejandra Lara, Yaroslav Amosov and Tyrell Fortune were also winners on the main card. Related; Bellator 225: Yaroslav Amosov Targets Title Fight Soon (Exclusive)
Amosov moved to 22-0 with a second round submission over Bellator veteran David Rickels. Fortune also stayed perfect, earning a second round submission to improve to 7-0.
Paige VanZant’s Husband Wins Again
On the prelims, Khonry Gracie locked in an armbar for the win, Sabah Homasi knocked out Micah Terrill and Ricky Bandejas stopped Ahmet Kayretli.
Another featured prelim saw Austin Vanderford, the husband of UFC fighter Paige VanZant, stop Joseph Creer in the second round due to a cut. Vanderford is now 8-0.
Bellator 225: Mitrione Vs. Kharitonov 2 Results
Sergei Kharitonov (30-7, 2 NC) defeated Matt Mitrione (13-7, 1 NC) via TKO (punches) at 1:24 of round two
Vitaly Minakov (22-1) defeated Tim Johnson (12-6) via KO (punch) at 1:45 of round one
Alejandra Lara (8-3) defeated Taylor Turner (4-6) via TKO (punches) at 3:44 of round one
Yaroslav Amosov (22-0) defeated David Rickels (21-6, 2 NC) via submission (D’Arce choke) at 4:05 of round two
Tyrell Fortune (7-0) defeated Rudy Schaffroth (6-1, 1 NC) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:08 of round two
Khonry Gracie (2-1) defeated Oscar Vera (0-2) via submission (armbar) at 2:50 of round one
Aviv Gozali (3-0) defeated Eduard Muravitskiy (9-9) via submission (heel hook) at :11 of round one
Sabah Homasi (13-8) defeated Micah Terrill (1-1) via knockout (punch) at :17 of round one
Austin Vanderford (8-0) defeated Joseph Creer (6-1-1) via TKO (doctor stoppage due to cut) at 5:00 of round two
Ricky Bandejas (12-3) defeated Ahmet Kayretli (8-4, 1 NC) via knockout (punch) at 1:21 of round one
Chris Disonell (3-3) defeated Mike Kimbel (3-2) via TKO (punches) at 4:54 of round one
Nick Newell (16-2) defeated Corey Browning (5-3) via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:5
Connor Dixon (1-0) defeated Kastriot Xhema (3-4, 1 NC) via submission (armbar) at 2:08 of round three
Jon Manley (12-6) defeated Thiago Rela (10-8) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:47 of round three