Sergei Kharitonov vs. Murilo Rua

During the height of the Pride Fighting Championships, Russian striker Sergei Kharitonov was consistently ranked among the best heavyweight mixed martial arts fighters in the world. When he took on Murilo “Ninja” Rua in the first round of the 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix, he did so as an undefeated knockout and submission artist.

Although both Rua and Kharitonov were relatively even in terms of fight experience, the Brazilian was a natural 185-pound fighter. Kharitonov, however, was a natural heavyweight, and particularly powerful for his size. Rua had bulked up substantially in an effort to prepare for the heavyweight clash, but the extra weight did not sit well on him. Rua looked soft around the middle, and was bigger but not more muscular.

Rua has shown an ability to take a significant amount of damage in fights, but there was nothing he could do to withstand the onslaught Kharitonov unleashed. From the opening bell, Rua struggled to find his range against the larger and lengthier Russian. Kharitonov began finding his range midway through the first with a series of increasingly withering body shots that were taking the steam of out Ninja. When Rua attempted to take the fight to the ground, he was unsuccesful.

After controlling the action for over four minutes, Kharitonov put an end to the contest with a violent final barrage of punches that put Rua down and out against the ropes. After the stoppage, Rua was unconscious for some time. It was one of the most violent finishes in MMA history and proved that Kharitonov was just as dangerous on his feet as he was on the ground.