Sergei Kharitonov diskuterar sin karriär och nästa match mot Kenny ”Deuce” Garner på M-1 Challenge 59.
Pride- och Strikeforceveteranen Sergei Kharitonov (22-5) berättar om sin karriär i en intervju med M-1 Global.tv. Hans nästa match är en rematch mot Kenny ”Deuce” Garner (16-8) på M-1 Challenge 59, 3 juli.
Sergei, how bad do you need this rematch?
Rematch with Kenny Garner is extremely important fight for me. This fight will be held in Kazakhstan where many of my fans will come to support me. Our last fight in China didn’t come as I planned. Kenny is a dangerous fighter, though he is in a decent age already. I did a lot to prepare myself good and I hope to show a spectacular fight on July 3.
What went wrong at your last fight with Deuce?
Well, Kenny showed a really impressive ground game and had almost succeeded in holding me in parter. He even tried to make a submission on me. That was a total surprise. In addition, I didn’t have a full complete training camp for that fight as I had been preparing for the kickboxing championship. But I promised M-1 Global to fight him no matter what – and I did it.
What mistakes did you make in your 1st fight with Garner?
The only one: I didn’t prepare well for that fight. I’d spent too much time to prepare for my kickboxing fight and was extremely exhausted. That was a risk, but I gave my word to Vadim Finkelchtein and M-1 – that I will make that fight. So I didn’t have a way back. Now it will all be different as I’ve just spent a complete training camp and I’m ready.
What edge do you have over the Garner?
My stand-up game is for sure a significant competitive edge. I use to fight in kickboxing a lot, so I’m confident in my striking. He, from the other hand, has a benefit in parter and wrestling.
Tell us about your training camp in Thailand?
Well, I was training there with Alistair Overeem and other fighters from Europe and Brazil. In addition I visited my coach in Belarus. Major part of my work was dedicated to conditions and parter game.
Was your training with Alistair Overeem useful for you?
That’s for sure. Overeen is Top-10 best heavyweights in the World. So I think training with him is a decent contribution that will show itself in our fight with Kenny.
Would you like to fight for the M-1 Global HW belt with Marcin Tybura?
I’d like it for sure! I don’t turn down any fight. I’m still the only Russian fighter who defeated current UFC champ – Fabricio Werdum. And I have a lot o wins over noticeable fighters as Nogueira, Overeem, Arlovski, Rua. They are elite of MMA, they are champions. So as you know I’ve never turned down any fight. If M-1 offers me to fight with Marcin Tybura – I will accept that fight immediately. I can accept it right now.
Are you thinking about calling it a career these days?
Not, at all. I’m young and I think that my fighting career is only at its beginning. I’m ready for a big fights!
