Alex Pereira kickboxing rival downplays Rountree beatdown

Artem Vakhitov dismisses the notion that UFC mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is one of the best striker in MMA.

Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) retained his title by battering Khalil Rountree in Spherical 4 of Saturday’s UFC 307 fundamental occasion at Delta Middle in Salt Lake Metropolis. Vakhitov (2-1), a former rival of Pereira’s in kickboxing, wasn’t as excessive on Pereira’s efficiency as everybody else was.

“I don’t suppose that he’s actually good and one of the best striker as a result of to have only one good punch, it doesn’t imply you’re a extremely good striker,” Vakhitov informed Submission Radio.

“An actual striker is somebody who has numerous mixtures, very completely different alternatives. He’s simply taught nicely: one punch and ship in it. But it surely doesn’t imply having long way and timing and different stuff. So I believe he’s not a extremely good striker due to it.”

Vakhitov and Pereira fought twice in Glory Kickboxing in back-to-back bouts. Pereria received their first assembly by break up determination at Glory 77 in January 2021. Vakhitov avenged that loss eight months later by majority determination at Glory 78.

Pereira mentioned he doubts Vakhitov can recreate their kickboxing historical past within the UFC, however Vakhitov thinks in any other case. The 33-year-old will look to earn a UFC contract Tuesday when he meets Islem Masraf (3-0) at Dana White’s Contender Sequence 75 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

“Sure, for positive I noticed it, and he might say now no matter he needs. However the time will come, and he’ll change his opinion, I’m positive,” Vakhitov mentioned. “Combating in small gloves is a unique sport. Now we have an excellent and skilled crew. For positive sooner or later, if the battle would occur, we might do every little thing to be prepared for it.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 307.