Artem Vakhitov is a former GLORY Kickboxing champion and the last man to defeat Alex Pereira in that sport. ‘Poatan’ is a different fighter since then, having adjusted to the MMA ruleset. Meanwhile, Vakhitov is now on a mission to meet his old rival again, but this time in the UFC. According to the Russian kickboxer, the two-division UFC champion is not the best striker in MMA. Here is what happened:
Artem Vakhitov recently sat down to have a conversation with Submission Radio. During their discussion, the former kickboxer turned MMA fighter commented on the common notion that Alex Pereira is one of the best strikers in MMA. The Brazilian has a lethal left hook and has won seven of his ten UFC fights via KO/TKO. However, Vakhitov sees the situation in a different light.
To have just one good punch it doesn’t mean you’re a really good striker. A really good striker is someone who has a lot of combinations… It doesn’t mean having good distance and timing and other stuff. So, I think he’s not a really good striker because of it.
Artem Vakhitov via Submission Radio
Vakhitov and Pereira have a heated history in the kickboxing world. Pereira initially edged out the Russian in a split decision to win the GLORY light heavyweight title in 2021. However, just eight months later, Vakhitov avenged that loss by defeating Pereira in their rematch. He scored a majority decision win, securing his legacy as a top striker in the kickboxing world.
.@ArtemVakhitov doesn’t believe Alex Pereira’s the best striker in MMA:
“to have just one good punch it doesn’t mean you’re a really good striker. A really good striker is someone who has a lot of combinations…He just taught well, one punch and deliver in it, so, but you know… pic.twitter.com/QOZKPV6QN6
— Submission Radio (@SubmissionRadio) October 7, 2024
Pereira’s career skyrocketed after transitioning into MMA, winning titles in the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. His 4 title fights in 11 months remain equally impressive. As such, Vakhitov believes defeating Pereira in their rematch in the UFC is better than anything else. He intends to exploit these weaknesses as he enters the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series.
Alex Pereira speaks on Artem Vakhitov’s potential entry into the UFC
Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya have paved the way for future kickboxers to transition into MMA. Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson believes they have transcended kickboxing as a necessary martial art in the UFC. Nevertheless, Pereira believes it is a mistake to assume Vakhitov or other kickboxers can easily replicate the meteoric rise he and Israel Adesanya have had in MMA.
During UFC 307 media day, ‘Poatan’ commented on Artem Vakhitov’s potential entry into the UFC. The UFC superstar revealed that he had stopped following kickboxing, so he was unaware of how good his Russian counterpart is now. However, he emphasized that transitioning to MMA is extremely challenging. As such, he suggested that Vakhitov was not on the same level as him or Adesanya in this regard.
I think fighting me in the UFC at this point could be hard. People get mistaken sometimes, think that it’s just easy to make a story like Israel Adesanya. Guys that beat me a fight like, long ago, they think that they just come here and make the same story. Bro, they are not me, they are not Israel Adesanya.
Alex Pereira at UFC 307 media day
Having made his professional MMA debut in 2023, Vakhitov’s career had a rocky start with an unfortunate injury. But he has since bounced back with two first-round knockouts in early 2024. His goal is clear: to secure an impressive victory that will earn him a UFC contract and set up a trilogy fight with Pereira. Only time will tell if another kickboxing rivalry enters the UFC.
