Artem Vakhitov doesn’t assume UFC mild heavyweights are assured sufficient after they enter the octagon to problem 205-pound champion Alex Pereira, however believes he might be the one to dethrone his previous rival down the road.
Vakhitov and Pereira fought twice in kickboxing, with “Poatan” successful a cut up choice to develop into undisputed two-division champion in GLORY in 2021, and Vakhitov then avenging the loss with a majority choice eight months later. Pereira walked away from the game after that, joined the UFC, claimed belts in two weight lessons, and have become a world star.
Vakhitov formally made his personal transition to MMA in 2023. He misplaced his skilled debut after dislocating his elbow simply 55 seconds, nevertheless the Russian striker rebounded to attain back-to-back first-round knockouts in early 2024. Vakhitov desires of combating in UFC and getting one other crack at Pereira, who not too long ago defended his UFC mild heavyweight title with a second-round head kick knockout of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303.
“MMA was all the time attention-grabbing for me anyway, however clearly I’m very motivated by the prospect of getting that trilogy match with Pereira,” Vakhitov informed MMA Combating. “He’s a celebrity now and I’m joyful for him, however after I hear individuals saying he’s the very best striker on the earth … effectively, I feel it’s time for MMA followers to study me and my crew, put it that means.”
Pereira misplaced solely as soon as since becoming a member of UFC, falling sufferer to a highlight-reel knockout by the hands of fellow kickboxing ace Israel Adesanya.
Vakhitov is assured Pereira’s placing isn’t flawless.
“His greatest weak spot is that he’s all assault, he has no protection,” Vakhitov mentioned. “Due to his lack of protection, he’s open to taking lots of punches to the top if he’s going through a talented striker. You noticed that in his second struggle with Adesanya. He bought caught as a result of he leaves lots of openings for individuals who know what they’re doing.
“These different guys haven’t finished effectively in opposition to Alex as a result of their placing isn’t at a excessive sufficient stage. They aren’t assured in opposition to him and so they assume he’s unbeatable, so of their coronary heart they’re already defeated earlier than the struggle begins. However I’ve overwhelmed him earlier than in pure placing competitors, and I’m certain I’ll do it once more if we are able to get our trilogy match within the UFC.”
Vakhitov not too long ago moved to Florida to coach at Kill Cliff FC and evolve as a combined martial artist. He’s rounding out his MMA abilities on daily basis and hopes to earn a UFC deal quickly.
“It wanted a striker nearly as good as me but in addition a crew nearly as good as mine, individuals who can actually analyze top-level strikers and discover their weak factors and the best way to beat them,” Vakhitov mentioned. “However I can not say that I’ve some secret to beating Alex. If I’ve any secret, it’s the crew at Kuzbass Muay Thai below our head coach Vitaly Miller. He’s by far probably the greatest placing coaches on the earth. He analyzes all of the opponents to the smallest element, so I’m very effectively ready to face them after I step in there.
“We’re 1-1 in opposition to one another, so the subsequent struggle would be the trilogy struggle and I feel that might be a giant struggle for followers everywhere in the world. We’re each top-level strikers, we’re throwing punches, knees and kicks consistently. Watch our two fights in GLORY Kickboxing after which think about we’re within the UFC octagon with small gloves on. And I’ll be very assured for that struggle. Alex might be fully analyzed by Vitaly Miller and the Kuzbass crew, we could have all his errors recognized, and I might be absolutely ready to take benefit after I step in there.
“Alex and I do know one another effectively,” Vakhitov added. “His crew and my crew are in good relations and we message one another typically, so I’m all the time wishing victory for him when he fights. However when it’s my flip to share the octagon with him, it will likely be time to exhibit lastly who’s the very best striker. All questions might be answered on that day.”
