Sergei Kharitonov Replaces ‘Bigfoot’ Silva, Meets Tyrone Spong at Eagle FC 44

There has already been a change to the main event for Eagle Fighting Championship’s United States debut.

According to an initial report from ESPN, Sergei Kharitonov will step in for Antonio Silva and face Tyrone Spong in the three-round heavyweight headliner. Eagle FC 44 takes place on Jan. 28 at FLX Arena in Miami and is also expected to include the return of former UFC champion Rashad Evans.

A veteran of Pride Fighting Championships, Strikeforce, Bellator, K-1 and Dream, Kharitonov went 1-1 in mixed martial arts bouts in 2021. After suffering a second-round submission loss to Cheick Kongo at Bellator 265, the 41-year-old Russian defeated Fabio Maldonado via first-round TKO at Parus Fight Championship on Nov. 6. Kharitonov also defeated Osborn Machimana in a boxing match at M1 Fight Night this past June.

Spong, meanwhile, has not competed in MMA since going 2-0 under the World Series of Fighting banner from 2012 to 2013. The 36-year-old Suriname native is an accomplished combat sports athlete who won multiple titles in kickboxing and is currently the WBC Latino heavyweight champion and WBO Latino heavyweight champion in boxing.