Artem Vakhitov, the accomplished kickboxer and former champion, is making waves as he transitions to UFC, echoing the path taken by his former rival, Alex Pereira. As Vakhitov prepares for his debut in the highly competitive organization, all eyes are on his matchup against Islem Masraft at the Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
Vakhitov is well-known for having previously lost to Alex Pereira, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, during the GLORY 77 event. However, he rebounded with a victory at GLORY 78, showcasing his resilience and skill. Following just one more kickboxing match, Vakhitov made the significant decision to shift his focus to mixed martial arts (MMA) by the end of 2023.
After suffering a shoulder injury in his first bout, Vakhitov quickly turned things around, delivering two impressive first-round knockouts against his opponents. His performance caught the attention of UFC, leading to an invitation to join DWCS. During his brief but explosive appearance, Vakhitov delivered a striking combination that decisively ended the fight, demonstrating his readiness for the next level.
Dana White, the president of UFC, initially hesitated to sign Vakhitov but was ultimately persuaded by none other than Alex Pereira himself. White stated, “That’s why I showed up late; I was talking to Alex. He mentioned that Artem should incorporate more clinch situations. But he emphasized, ‘I think he’s talented enough and deserves to be here (in UFC). He has plenty of fights waiting for him.’”
Vakhitov’s entrance into UFC is reminiscent of Pereira’s own journey in 2021, when Pereira had only three wins and one loss in MMA following his kickboxing career. Pereira still secured a contract with UFC and later faced then-champion Israel Adesanya, whom he had previously defeated in kickboxing.
Now, with the support of his former foe, Artem Vakhitov is set to carve out his own legacy in the UFC. However, just like Pereira, Vakhitov must navigate various challenges to potentially face his old rival once more.
Artem Vakhitov stands out as one of Russia’s premier Muay Thai fighters. He boasts an impressive record of accomplishments, including three Russian Championship titles, a gold medal at the World Combat Games, and a total of 12 gold medals at various levels in the IFMA (International Federation of Muay Thai Associations), achieving success in national, European, and world competitions. Additionally, he is a two-time GLORY champion, having successfully defended his title five times, concluding his kickboxing and Muay Thai career with an impressive record of 88 wins and 4 losses.
As Artem Vakhitov embarks on his journey in the UFC, fans eagerly anticipate his next moves and the potential for a thrilling reunion with Alex Pereira in the octagon.
