You might be surprised to hear that Alex Pereira, the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, played a pivotal role in convincing Dana White to sign his former kickboxing rival, Artem Vakhitov, to the UFC following an impressive performance on Dana White’s Contender Series. Vakhitov, who is notably the last fighter to defeat Pereira in the world of kickboxing, showcased his skills with a sensational first-round knockout against Islem Masraf.
In last night’s episode of the Contender Series, Vakhitov delivered a stunning performance, landing a powerful overhand right that sent Masraf to the canvas, followed by decisive ground-and-pound. Initially, I found Dana White’s hesitation in offering a contract to Vakhitov quite fascinating, especially considering the knockout was excellent. It was clear that even after such an impressive show, White required some convincing.
It’s intriguing to learn that Alex Pereira, sitting cageside, was called upon to lend his insights about Vakhitov’s abilities. Dana White remarked during a post-fight interview with Laura Sanko, that he was initially taken aback by the extent of clinching involved in the fight. He stated, “I actually called Alex back with me to talk about this fight and your win,” showing the level of respect White holds for Pereira’s opinion.
Pereira took the opportunity to highlight Vakhitov’s extensive fighting background, noting his significant experience with over thirty professional fights outside of MMA. “He’s talented enough, and I think he deserves to be here,” Pereira explained, acknowledging that the pressure of the Contender Series can impact a fighter’s performance, no matter their previous accomplishments.
Despite their previously intense rivalry in GLORY Kickboxing, it appears that the relationship between Pereira and Vakhitov has thawed significantly. White later shared a touching moment that took place backstage, wherein Vakhitov expressed his admiration for Pereira’s journey in the UFC. “Nothing but respect, all love, it’s just sport,” Vakhitov conveyed, as he looked forward to possibly facing Pereira again in the octagon after building his own legacy.
Vakhitov’s performance on the Contender Series now brings his professional MMA record to 3-1, and I can’t help but feel excited about his potential future in the UFC after the influence of Pereira in securing his contract. This narrative highlights not only the competitiveness of combat sports but also the camaraderie and respect that can develop, even between former rivals.
As we look ahead, it’ll be fascinating to see how Artem Vakhitov adapts to the UFC environment and whether a trilogy bout with Alex Pereira materialises in the near future. The prospect of seeing these two titans clash again, now under the UFC banner, certainly adds another layer of excitement to the MMA landscape.
Subscribe
