Artem Vakhitov’s story sounds like one we’ve heard before until it veers off in a bit of a different direction.
Fans looking for a blood-thirsty former rival who will storm into the UFC, badmouth one of its champions, and engage in a heated build-up to a long-awaited third meeting will have to remain content with Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya.
Don’t get it twisted: Vakhitov (2-1) wants that crack at Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC), arguably the promotion’s biggest active star. After all, they are tied at one win apiece from showdowns of yesteryear in kickboxing.
But when it comes to selling the fight, Vakhitov has no issue with Pereira. In fact, the two have exchanged friendly messages since their pair of kickboxing bouts in 2021. The rivalry is strictly competitive, but Vakhitov sees potential for their skills to sell another showdown.
“We have a story with Alex, and it’s a good opportunity to face him again,” Vakhitov recently told MMA Junkie through a Russian interpreter. “It’s a big interest for me. I’ve seen that strikers are doing really, really well. I really want to show my striking and how we can do it.
“… It’s nothing personal with Alex. After our fight in kickboxing, we were messaging together and were in contact and had a lot of conversations. There’s nothing personal. … We have a very friendly relationship. I’m just wishing for him to win as much as he can until he meets me.”
How Pereira motivated Vakhitov
Vakhitov and Pereira first faced off at GLORY 77 in January 2021. Pereira defeated Vakhitov by split decision. Three months later in September 2021 at GLORY 78, the two collided again. This time, it was Vakhitov by split decision.
The kickboxing match was Pereira’s final one before he fully pursued MMA, quickly rising up the UFC ladder toward title gold in unprecedented fashion.
Seeing Pereira’s success planted the seeds in Vakhitov’s brain. Maybe it was time for him to give it a shot.
“It motivated me more and more to (follow),” Vakhitov said.
In June 2023, Vakhitov debuted in MMA but suffered a fight-ending shoulder injury in the opening minute. Six months later, he returned and won by 92-second TKO. He followed it up with a 22-second TKO due to leg kicks.
All the while, talks with the UFC, PFL, and other industry figureheads began.
“We were in touch a long time ago (with the UFC),” Vakhitov said. “I arrived a few months ago for my fight. Also, I went to a PFL event and met Ray Sefo and other guys, and Cejudo and his manager Ali (Abdelaziz). During all this situation, we were in touch with UFC and matchmaker Mick Maynard. My manager Andrey Busygin was going through negotiations. We got an opportunity for Dana White’s Contender Series. This was a very big pleasure that we got this. For sure, we agreed to it, and now we are here.”
Dana White’s Contender Series awaits
Vakhitov, 33, has the opportunity to earn a UFC contract Tuesday night at Dana White’s Contender Series 75 where he faces Islem Masraf (3-0) in a light heavyweight bout.
Despite the stakes, Vakhitov is blocking out the stakes and focusing on technique.
“Obviously, I just want to show the good and technical side of kickboxing in MMA,” Vakhitov said. “Not everyone is looking and searching for the KO. Some people are looking and searching for the good techniques. This is maybe my aim more.”
While a lot will have to happen before he’s aligned with Pereira once again, Vakhitov embraces the intertwined nature of their stories, particularly as he has championship aspirations.
“I’m ready for it,” Vakhitov said. “Most of all, I need to finalize my upcoming fight first. I’m ready to do that. Because I guess that people will really like it. For organizers, for promoters, it’s also a big interest. I’m ready to do it. Let’s go.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 75.
