Bellator 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov was a

mixed martial arts Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting combat sport, sport based on strike (attack), striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-s ...

event produced by

Bellator MMA Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) was an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 by Bjorn Rebney and operated until 2025. The promotion takes its name from ''wikt:bellator, bellātor ...

that took place on August 20, 2021 at the

Sanford Pentagon The Sanford Pentagon (colloquially known as The Pentagon) is an indoor arena located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Pentagon opened in September 2013 and has a seating capacity of 3,250 spectators. It hosts the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA ...

Sioux Falls, South Dakota Sioux Falls ( ) is the List of cities in South Dakota, most populous city in the U.S. state of South Dakota and the List of United States cities by population, 117th-most populous city in the United States. It is the county seat of Minnehaha Coun ...

, United States.

Background

A heavyweight bout between #3 ranked

Cheick Kongo Cheick Kongo (born May 17, 1975) is a French mixed martial artist and former kickboxer who fights in the Heavyweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2001, he has also competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Bellator. ...

and

Sergei Kharitonov Sergei Valerievich Kharitonov (, ; born August 18, 1980) is a Russian professional boxer, mixed martial artist and former kickboxer. A professional MMA competitor since 2000, Kharitonov has previously fought in Japanese MMA organizati ...

served as the main event. A featherweight bout between #3 ranked

Ádám Borics Ádám Borics (born July 7, 1993) is a Hungarian Mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight (MMA), Featherweight division of the Professional Fighters League. He previously competed for Bellator MMA. Early life ...

and #4 ranked Jay Jay Wilson was scheduled for this event. The bout was to determine the #1 contender who would face champion A. J. McKee. However, at the weigh-ins, Wilson came in at 150.4 pounds, missing weight by 4.4 pounds. As a result, the fight has been scrapped and Borics was paid his show money. Number 5 ranked Welterweight Logan Storley made a return to his home state against Dante Schiro. A women's flyweight bout between

Alejandra Lara Alejandra Lara (born 4 August 1994) is a Colombian female mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division. She had previously most notably competed in Bellator MMA, where she was a title contender. She is also known by the nickname " ...

and

DeAnna Bennett DeAnna Danielle Bennett (born November 18, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division. A professional since 2012, she has previously competed for Bellator MMA, Invicta Fighting Championships, and Ultimate ...

was scheduled for

Bellator 263 Bellator 263: Pitbull vs. McKee was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on July 31, 2021, at The Forum in Inglewood, California. The event marked Bellator's first outside of the Mohegan Sun bubble and the first Be ...

. The bout was rescheduled for unknown reasons to take place at this event. On August 13, it was announced that the bout was moved once again, this time to Bellator 266. A lightweight bout between Mike Hamel and Bryce Logan took place on the preliminary portion of the bout. Two heavyweight prospects, Bailey Schoenfelder and Kevin Childs, were scheduled to compete in the event prelims. However, the bout did not happen after Childs withdrew from the contest. With Childs being scrapped from his bout, a contracted catchweight bout at 225 pounds was set between Bailey Schoenfelder and Kory Moegenburg. A heavyweight bout between #6 ranked Steve Mowry and Marcelo Golm was scheduled for Bellator 264, however on August 4 it was announced that Steve Mowry was scratched from the bout, with Golm facing Kelvin Tiller at this event. The week of the event, Tiller pulled out of the bout and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Billy Swanson. A middleweight bout between Jeff Nielsen and Kory Moegenburg was cancelled the week off the event due to COVID-19 protocols.

Results

References

{{2021 in mixed martial arts Bellator MMA events 2021 in mixed martial arts August 2021 sports events in the United States 2021 in sports in South Dakota Mixed martial arts in South Dakota Sports competitions in South Dakota

Background

Results

See also

References