Sergei Kharitonov (Pictures) could be the one.
Brazilian behemoth
Antonio Silva has verbally agreed to face the stoic Russian boxer for the vacant heavyweight crown at EliteXC's July 26 "Saturday Night Fights" at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, Calif.
The bout is currently pending approval from the California State Athletic Commission, according to a rep from Silva's American Top Team.
If greenlighted, the featured bout will be televised live on Showtime beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT, a prelude to the promotion's sophomore effort on CBS later that evening.
Silva will face extra scrutiny to get cleared for active duty in the Golden State. The 6-foot-4, nearly 300-pound goliath was removed from a K-1 "Dynamite USA" roster over a year ago after pre-fight medical tests revealed a pituitary gland tumor in the 26-year-old's cranial region.
Under the commission's recommendation, "Pezao" underwent surgery last summer to remove the tumor.
Silva, who is known as "Bigfoot" in U.S. circles, has fought two times since. ATT's largest competitor submitted
Jonathan Wiezorek (Pictures) in the first round at EliteXC "Renegade" last November in Corpus Christi, Texas, then pulled off a split decision victory over former UFC heavyweight champion
Ricco Rodriguez (Pictures) at February's EliteXC "Certified" in Miami.
Kharitonov, an airborne trooper for Russia's Armed Forces, should prove a formidable foe for the 10-1 Brazilian. The 27-year-old Russian Top Team member has accumulated a 15-3 record, highlighted by his tenure with Pride Fighting Championships, with key victories against Brazilian kickboxer
Pedro Rizzo (Pictures), K-1 king
Semmy Schilt (Pictures), and UFC heavyweight contender
Fabricio Werdum (Pictures).
A pugilist with world-class experience, Kharitonov holds his two most recent successes over American wrestler
Michael Russow (Pictures) and hot-and-cold Dutch striker
Alistair Overeem (Pictures), who Kharitonov pummeled to a referee stoppage at a K-1 Hero's event in September 2007. The pair originally met in February 2006 in Pride, where Overeem earned the first-round stoppage with brutal knees from side-control.