Best fights of Cheick Kongo
Over 21 years as a professional, Cheick Kongo has compiled a 31-12-2 (19) record, including four title fights. Here are his top 10 best fights.
1. Cheick Kongo defeats Mirko Cro Cop
On September 8, 2007 Cheick Kongo faced Mirko Cro Cop in a heavyweight bout. Kongo was 32 years old with a record of 10-3-1, and Cop was 32 with a record of 22-5-2. Kongo was coming off a win, while Cop was coming off a loss. Kongo won via unanimous decision.
2. Cheick Kongo defeats Ryan Bader
On September 7, 2019 Cheick Kongo fought Ryan Bader for the Bellator heavyweight title. Kongo was 44 years old with a record of 30-10-2, and Bader was 36 with a record of 27-5. Kongo was on a 8-fight winning streak and Bader was on a 7-fight winning streak. Kongo won via no contest. Crowned the new heavyweight champion.
3. Cheick Kongo defeats Vitaly Minakov in their 2nd fight
On February 16, 2019 Cheick Kongo faced Vitaly Minakov in a heavyweight bout. It was their second meeting. Kongo was 43 years old with a record of 29-10-2, and Minakov was 34 with a record of 21-0. Kongo was on a 7-fight winning streak and Minakov was on an undefeated 21-fight winning streak. Kongo won via unanimous decision.
4. Cheick Kongo loses to Heath Herring via split decision
On March 1, 2008 Cheick Kongo faced Heath Herring in a heavyweight bout. Kongo was 32 years old with a record of 11-3-1, and Herring was 29 with a record of 27-13. Kongo was on a 2-fight winning streak, while Herring was coming off a loss. Kongo lost via split decision. Went the distance with Herring.
5. Cheick Kongo draws with Travis Browne
On October 16, 2010 Cheick Kongo faced Travis Browne in a heavyweight bout. Kongo was 35 years old with a record of 15-6-1, and Browne was 28 with a record of 10-0. Kongo was coming off a win and Browne was on an undefeated 10-fight winning streak. The fight ended in a unanimous decision.
6. Cheick Kongo submits Sergei Kharitonov
On August 20, 2021 Cheick Kongo faced Sergei Kharitonov in a heavyweight bout. Kongo was 46 years old with a record of 30-11-2, and Kharitonov was 41 with a record of 31-8. Kongo was coming off a loss, while Kharitonov was coming off a win. Kongo submitted Sergei Kharitonov via rear-naked choke in the 2nd round.
7. Cheick Kongo loses to Ryan Bader in their 2nd fight via unanimous decision
On May 6, 2022 Cheick Kongo fought Ryan Bader for the Bellator heavyweight title. It was their second meeting. Kongo was 46 years old with a record of 31-11-2, and Bader was 38 with a record of 29-7. Both Kongo and Bader were coming off a win. Kongo lost via unanimous decision. Failed to capture the title. Went the distance with Bader.
8. Cheick Kongo defeats Tony Johnson
On September 16, 2016 Cheick Kongo faced Tony Johnson in a heavyweight bout. Kongo was 41 years old with a record of 24-10-2, and Johnson was 30 with a record of 10-2. Kongo was on a 2-fight winning streak and Johnson was on a 3-fight winning streak. Kongo won via majority decision.
9. Cheick Kongo KOs Timothy Johnson
On October 13, 2018 Cheick Kongo faced Timothy Johnson in a heavyweight bout. Kongo was 43 years old with a record of 28-10-2, and Johnson was 33 with a record of 12-4. Kongo was on a 6-fight winning streak and Johnson was coming off a win. Kongo stopped Timothy Johnson via KO in the 1st round.
10. Cheick Kongo submits Lavar Johnson
On September 5, 2014 Cheick Kongo faced Lavar Johnson in a heavyweight bout. Kongo was 39 years old with a record of 21-9-2, and Johnson was 37 with a record of 18-9. Kongo was coming off a win, while Johnson was coming off a loss. Kongo submitted Lavar Johnson via rear-naked choke in the 1st round.