Alex Pereira may simply have another opposition to his UFC light heavyweight title.
Russian kickboxer and combined martial artist Artem Vakhitov was granted a UFC agreement Tuesday night in Las Vegas following a first-round surface of Islem Masraf in the most recent edition of Dana White's Contender Series, which will see him land in the UFC's 205-pound field and possibly one day work himself into position to challenge Pereira– who had actually flown from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas to witness the efficiency of his previous competitor.
What a method to close Week 9! Artem Vakhitov with a crafty development of strikes to protect the very first RD surface! #DWCS pic.twitter.com/gvYxqX72G9
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) October 9, 2024
Vakhitov is, like Pereira, a previous Glory light heavyweight champ and has actually completed two times versus the Brazilian champ– with their series presently connected at one win each. He is likewise the last male to hold a triumph of Pereira under kickboxing guidelines. Previously this year, Vakhitov was ranked as the very best light heavyweight kickboxer on the planet, in addition to the 4th finest pound-for-pound.
Speaking after the battle on Tuesday, UFC employer Dana White stated that Pereira had actually provided a radiant suggestion that Vakhitov “definitely, favorably” be signed by the organisation.
Vakhitov's entryway to the UFC rather mirrors that of Pereira, who signed up with the battle league following his competition with then-UFC champ Israel Adesanya where he held 2 wins over ‘Stylebender.' They would battle two times in the UFC, with each male winning the UFC middleweight title from the other.
