The main event of Eagle FC 44 on January 28 has gone through a change, as Sergei Kharitonov, not Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva, will now face Tyrone Spong.
ESPN was the first to report the change in opponent for Spong. It is unknown at this time the reason for the change. The reactions upon hearing the news that Silva would be fighting were mostly negative. This was due to the fact that Silva is 1-9 with one no-contest in eleven fights and is on a six-fight losing streak.
The 41-year-old Kharitonov made his MMA debut in 2000. A kickboxer and boxer, Kharitonov has competed for PRIDE FC, RINGS, DREAM, M-1, and Strikeforce. Kharitonov is 2-2 with one no-contest with Bellator. His last fight was a TKO win against Fabio Maldonado in Dubai in November.
Spong is also a former kickboxer and boxer. The "King of the Ring" has over 100 wins in kickboxing and is a former WBC and WBO Latino Heavyweight Champion in boxing. Making his MMA debut in 2012, Spong has only competed in two fights. His last bout was a unanimous decision win against Angel DeAnda back in 2013 for the World Series of Fighting.
Eagle FC 44 will take place in Miami, Florida. Khabib Nurmagomedov is the owner and promoter of the promotion.
Fightful has all of your MMA needs covered. Follow us on Twitter for updates, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for ‘Fightful Fight Night’ watch alongs for all major MMA and Boxing events!
