Sergei Kharitonov Eyes Return at Bitva za Ryazan 2 After Two-Year Absence

Sergei Kharitonov is targeting a return to competition at Bitva za Ryazan 2, eyeing a November or December date that would end an absence of more than two years for the veteran Russian heavyweight.

Kharitonov, now 46 years old, carries a professional record of 26 wins and 6 losses and trains out of Vityaz in Russia. Standing six feet tall and fighting out of an orthodox stance, the heavyweight has historically combined respectable striking output — landing 3.9 significant strikes per minute at 44 percent accuracy — with a well-rounded ground game that includes 1.16 takedowns and one submission attempt per 15 minutes. Despite his age and extended layoff, he has expressed confidence that he remains capable of competing at a high level.

To underline that point, Kharitonov singled out Sergei Pavlovich as a fighter he believes he could challenge. Pavlovich, 34, is currently ranked third in the UFC heavyweight division and holds a record of 20 wins and 3 losses. The southpaw from Russia, who stands six-foot-three with an 84-inch reach, is one of the most prolific strikers in the division, averaging 4.43 significant strikes per minute. Kharitonov also stated he would be willing to fight Josh Rokit under a winner-takes-all arrangement worth one million dollars — and would do so without taking a purse.

Why it matters

• Kharitonov's return would mark the end of a two-year-plus absence, raising questions about where he fits in the current heavyweight landscape
• His stated interest in Pavlovich, a top-three ranked UFC heavyweight, signals ambition but represents a significant competitive step up
• The proposed winner-takes-all offer against Rokit adds an unusual financial dimension that could attract attention to the Bitva za Ryazan promotion