- KHARITONOV'S DEBUT LIKELY AGAINST ANTONIO SILVA
by Damon Martin - MMAWeekly.com
Newly signed Strikeforce heavyweight Sergei Kharitonov could make his debut for the organization as early as August against American Top Team heavyweight Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva.
The news of Kharitonov's first Strikeforce appearance comes from CEO Scott Coker, who says they've already talked about that fight, and it could happen on the promotion's Aug. 21 card slated for Houston.
"I think (Kharitonov) and Bigfoot would be a fantastic match-up. That might be as early as August. It's a fight that we definitely talked about," said Coker.
While nothing is set in stone, Coker alluded to the fight happening regardless of the timing, if not in August then at some point down the road.
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"It's not confirmed, but if it doesn't happen in August, it could happen in September or October," he said.
Kharitonov comes to Strikeforce after a successful career fighting in Pride and Dream, and holds wins over current Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem and the man who just recently defeated Fedor Emelianenko, Fabricio Werdum.
The Russian is 16-4 overall, having fought some of the top fighters the heavyweight division has to offer.
Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva bounced back from his second career loss, at the hands of Fabricio Werdum, to pick up a unanimous decision win over former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski in his last fight in May.
If the bout between Silva and Kharitonov comes to fruition for the August card, it would join a list that is also likely to include a light heavyweight title fight between Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal and Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante, and a lightweight fight with K.J. Noons taking on Jorge Gurgel.
