Josh Barnett vs. Sergei Kharitonov features a former UFC champion (Barnett) against a powerful Russian striker. Before the fight Barnett said, “I look forward to ranking him among the dead,” in typical “War Master” fashion.
Barnett made short work of Brett Rogers to get to the semi-finals, which was his seventh straight win since losing to Antonio Rodirigo Nogueira way back in 2006.
Kharitonov is a typical “Ivan Drago” style of Russian with heavy hands and a cold demeanor. He got here by pummeling MMA legend Andrei Arlovski in the first round of their fight last February.
Round 1- Barnett got a takedown about a minute into the round and immediately mounted the Russian. The “War Master” postured up and started to grind away at Kharitonov’s face with his elbows. Barnett spent enough time in full mount to impregnate Kharitonov, who eventually gave up his back and turned into a Russian turtle.
Barnett finished him with a sidechoke for his eighth win in a row and a trip to the tournament finals. That was as dominant a performance as Barnett could have hoped for.
This sets up a really interesting matchup against Cormier in the finals. DC proved tonight that he has heavy hands to go along with elite wrestling, when he sent Bigfoot off to play with the fairies in la la land.
Barnett was the favorite to win the tournament going in, so it is no surprise that he is in the finals. Cormier was a late replacement so is a bit of an underdog on paper, but after his impressive win over Silva that might change.
Official Result: Josh Barnett by obliteration and sidechoke in Round 1.
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