Sergei Kharitonov Returns at DREAM.6 Against “Mighy Mo”

After false reports in March that Sergei Kharitonov would return a DREAM.4, there is finally confirmation of the Russian’s return to the ring.

According to the official DREAM website, Kharitonov will face Siala “Mighty Mo” Siliga at this month’s DREAM.6 on September 23rd at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

In addition, DREAM confirmed the previously reported bout between Alistair Overeem and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic.

Olympia DREAM.6 will once again air live on HDNet. HDNet is also airing one of their classic event preview shows on September 12th at 11:30pm ET.

Kharitonov, one of the scariest fighters on the planet, will return to the ring after a nearly one year hiatus. In his last bout at a K-1 HERO’s tournament, the Russian Top Team fighter avenged his loss to Alistair Overeem, defeating the Dutch kick boxer with strikes in the first round.

Kharitonov’s only other two losses in his 18 fight career, besides his loss to Overeem, were to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Aleksander Emelianenko in Pride. The Russian has wins over the likes of “Ninja” Rua, Semmy Schilt, Pedro Rizzo, and Fabrcio Werdum.

Crocop, who returned to Japan this year after putting on a disappointing 0-2 performance in the UFC, will face his first real competition since defeating Tatsuya Mizuno at DREAM 1 in March. He will take on Alistair Overeem in one of night’s “Master’s Fights.”

DREAM also confirmed the Middleweight GP’s reserve fight today which will feature a match up between Dong Sik Yoon and Andrews Nakahara. Nakahara made his debut in April against the legendary Kazushi Sakuraba and lost. Not a good opponent for your very first pro MMA fight.

Here is the latest official DREAM.6 card:

• Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic vs. Alistair Overeem
• Sergei Kharitonov vs. Siala “Mighty Mo” Siliga
• Grand Prix finalist #1 vs. finalist #2
• Zelg Galesic vs. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (Middleweight GP Semifinal)
• Melvin Manhoef vs. Gegard Mousasi (Middleweight GP Semifinal)
• Andrews Nakahara vs. Dong Sik Yoon (Middleweight GP Reserve)
• Hideo Tokoro vs. Atsushi Yamamoto

There is also a rumored bout between Nick Diaz and Hayato Sakurai for the DREAM welterweight title which has yet to be officially announced.

(Photo courtesy of kharitonov.mmaru.de)