Artem Vakhitov, the last kickboxer to defeat current UFC champion Alex Pereira under the GLORY Kickboxing banner, picked up…
Artem Vakhitov, the last kickboxer to defeat current UFC champion Alex Pereira under the GLORY Kickboxing banner, picked up his first win in mixed martial arts.
After suffering a dislocated elbow 55 seconds into his MMA debut in June, Vakhitov returned at a World Ertaymash Federation event in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Saturday, earning a technical knockout over his 0-1 opponent, Siyavush Salokhov.
Former GLORY LHW champ (and Alex Pereira rival) Artem Vakhitov quietly picked up his first MMA win on the WEF 130 prelims today in Kyrgyzstan.
After dislocating his elbow 55 seconds into a disappointing MMA debut last June, the Russian made light work of 0-1 Siyavush Salokhov. pic.twitter.com/NMCWtDGPrn
After a successful amateur career where he won three world championships as well as taking gold in 2013 at the World Combat Games, the Prokopyevsk, Russia native turned pro in 2009 and signed with GLORY Kickboxing four years later.
He claimed the GLORY light heavyweight world title on two separate occasions and currently sits as Combat Press’ No. 6 ranked pound-for-pound kickboxer in the world.
Vakhitov squared off with Alex Pereira in back-to-back bouts, coming up short in their inaugural meeting at GLORY 77 in Rotterdam. With the bout ending via a closely contested split decision, the two immediately ran it back with Vakhitov earning a majority decision to reclaim the light heavyweight crown.
GLORY released Vakhitov from their roster on June 17, 2022, in protest of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In his mixed martial arts debut, things did not go according to plan for former GLORY Kickboxing light heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov. Known by most MMA fans as the last man to defeat ex-UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira in the world of kickboxing, Artem Vakhitov stepped into the cage on Sunday for a main event […]
In his mixed martial arts debut, things did not go according to plan for former GLORY Kickboxing light heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov.
Known by most MMA fans as the last man to defeat ex-UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira in the world of kickboxing, Artem Vakhitov stepped into the cage on Sunday for a main event clash with Ashraf Bashandy at Open FC 31 in Shergesh, Russia. In the opening minute of the matchup, Bashandy had Vakhitov pressed against the cage wall and appeared to pull guard, dragging Vakhitov down on top of him. During the impact, Vakhitov seemingly injured his elbow prompting him to get the referee’s attention and ultimately end the fight at the 55-second mark.
That didn't go as planned.
The MMA debut of former GLORY Light Heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov ends after only 55 seconds into the opening rounds due to an elbow injury. pic.twitter.com/qEYJuPkiEj
Artem Vakhitov and Alex Pereira Both Lost Their MMA Debuts
Artem Vakhitov made his GLORY Kickboxing debut in 2013, going 5-1 en route to winning his first light heavyweight title with the promotion. He would go on to defend the title five times before surrendering the belt to Alex Pereira in 2021. Running it back eight months later, Vakhitov would recapture the light heavyweight title with a majority decision over Pereira. Shortly following the loss, ‘Poatan’ would exit the promotion and make his transition to mixed martial arts, a decision that ultimately led him back to long-time rival Israel Adesanya.
Of course, we all know how that story goes with Alex Pereira capturing the UFC middleweight title before handing it right back to ‘The Last Stylebender’ five months later.
Artem Vakhitov is hoping to generate similar results in his own mixed martial arts career. Despite suffering an anti-climactic defeat in his first outing, Vakhitov can take solace in the fact that even Alex Pereira lost his own MMA debut in 2015, suffering a third-round rear-naked choke.
Artem Vakhitov, the last man to defeat former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira in kickboxing has booked his mixed martial arts debut. Armet Vakhitov, a two-time GLORY Kickboxing light heavyweight champion, holds the distinction of being the last man to hand Alex Pereira a loss before the Brazilian boogeyman made his own transition to MMA. […]
Artem Vakhitov, the last man to defeat former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira in kickboxing has booked his mixed martial arts debut.
Armet Vakhitov, a two-time GLORY Kickboxing light heavyweight champion, holds the distinction of being the last man to hand Alex Pereira a loss before the Brazilian boogeyman made his own transition to MMA. Of course, we all know how well that turned out with ‘Poatan’ scoring a shocking fifth-round knockout against longtime rival Israel Adesanya to capture the UFC’s 185-pound crown at UFC 281 in November. Vakhitov hopes to follow a similar path as he begins his own mixed martial arts career in his native Russia.
As confirmed by MMA Fighting, Artem Vakhitov will make his debut at Open FC 31 in Shergesh, Russia, on June 11. He is set to square off with ‘The Egypitian Lion’ Ashraf Bashandy, a fighter who will be making his own pro MMA debut after going 4-1 as an amateur with three of those victories coming by way of submission.
Artem Vakhitov Closed Out His GLORY Kickboxing Career with a Majority Decision Over Alex Pereira
The 32-year-old Russian striking standout has an impressive 23 wins in the world of kickboxing with eight via knockout. Vakhitov defended the GLORY world championship five times before surrendering the belt to Alex Pereira via a closely-contested split decision at GLORY 77. Eight months later, Vakhitov would reclaim the title, securing a majority decision over Pereira in what would be the Brazilian’s last fight with the promotion before moving on to the UFC.
Vakhitov parted ways with GLORY in 2022, intent on making his MMA debut under one of North America’s premiere combat sports promotions. Instead, Vakhitov will look to earn his first win in mixed martial arts on the Russian regional scene.
Artem Vakhitov vs. Ashraf Bashandy will serve at the main event for the June 11 showcase in his homeland.
Artem Vakhitov wouldn’t be signed to the UFC right now if it wasn’t for the light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira. The former GLORY kickboxer, who was the last man to beat “Poatan” in the sport, earned a contract on this week’s episode of Dana White’s Contender Series. Let alone getting this opportunity if it wasn’t […]
Artem Vakhitov wouldn’t be signed to the UFC right now if it wasn’t for the light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira. The former GLORY kickboxer, who was the last man to beat “Poatan” in the sport, earned a contract on this week’s episode of Dana White’s Contender Series.
Let alone getting this opportunity if it wasn’t for the history that he has with Pereira, the champion himself convinced Dana White to give his former foe a contract after the UFC boss wasn’t overly impressed by his performance at the Apex.
Vakhitov is still very early on in his MMA career but of course, a third fight between them taking place in MMA would be a big deal but that’s still a long way in the distance right now.
Bisping on Artem Vakhitov’s Potential
Vakhitov is sure to get some special treatment once he arrives into the UFC, even if he just moves through the ranks a little faster than most.
Former UFC champion Michael Bisping gave his reaction to how this all played out during a recent YouTube video.
“The Count” was on commentary for this episode and though he also wasn’t overwhelmed by what he saw from Vakhitov on his UFC job interview, he believes that Pereira’s former rival could make it to the top in the years to come. Acknowledging it’s going to be a long road to the top, Bisping sees the greatness.
“ I think he could do it, I think he’s got the potential. He’s got to work on the takedown defense. he’s got to get used to the little gloves. he’s got to get used to people with offbeat rhythms, because MMA strikers are a bit different to polished kickboxers but if he can do that.
if he can do the work and apply himself, I think he could have a very bright future and we could see that fight at some point down the line.”
UFC legend Chael Sonnen has urged former two-time Glory Kickboxing champion Artem Vakhitov to rethink the way he’s currently approaching his pursuit of Alex Pereira in mixed martial arts. Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion in MMA’s leading promotion, is beginning to find himself on the opposite end of a narrative he rode all the […]
UFC legend Chael Sonnen has urged former two-time Glory Kickboxing champion Artem Vakhitov to rethink the way he’s currently approaching his pursuit of Alex Pereira in mixed martial arts.
“Poatan” arrived with hype already around his name owing to his history with then-middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya, whom he got the better of twice in the kickboxing ring.
The Brazilian capitalized on that story to secure a faster-than-usual rise to the belt, ultimately capturing it from “The Last Stylebender” before immediately dropping it back and moving onto other things a division up.
Now, having cemented his grip on the 205-pound crown and enhanced his legacy in MMA, a figure from Pereira’s striking past has emerged.
But one man who certainly boasts experience in the realm of MMA storylines believes the MMA newcomer is going about things in the wrong way…
Sonnen Tells Vakhitov To ‘Join’ Pereira, Not Target Him
During a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen reacted to the recent war of words between Vakhitov and Pereira, who reacted to his former rival’s remarks with a warning and some advice regarding the need for management.
Sonnen made the obvious comparison between “Poatan’s” transition to MMA and subsequent pursuit of Adesanya. But in contrast to that, “The Bad Guy” believes it would be wise for Vakhitov to align himself with the light heavyweight champ.
“Artem did an interview, and I can’t tell you that he did anything wrong,” Sonnen said. “He’s coming over the MMA and he’s got a win over Pereira. I can’t deny that that story works. … We know that it works, that’s the exact formula Pereira did when he came over; ‘I beat Izzy, I beat your champion. I’m now coming to your sport. I beat him over here, why would I not beat him in this one as well?’ You don’t want to have the secret sauce to beat a guy, and that’s all that you’ve got, ‘I can take out your champion.’ It can’t be, because even if it’s true, you can’t get to him.
“I feel that the best way to do it is to join him. I feel that instead of Artem coming in and doing what makes the most sense to him, which is create heat, create a story, ‘I want to get to Pereira, I’m gonna start calling Pereira out straight away.’ Believe me, I understand it…(but) kickboxing does not come over with enough of an audience,” Sonnen continued. “I’m only suggesting for you that Artem come in different and he come in with Pereira. ‘We are taking over,’ and he associates himself with Pereira. ‘We kickboxers, we’ve always been the hardest sport.’ … I think if he just associates himself with Alex Pereira, it might be a better approach.’”
It remains to be seen whether Vakhitov will heed Sonnen’s advice following his recent back and forth with Pereira. For the time being, though, the Russian will be focused on securing his path to the Octagon to ensure he’s competing under the same banner as “Poatan.”
This rivalry is back in the news
Check out the best moments from Alex Pereria and Artem Vakhitov’s two battles inside the GLORY ring pic.twitter.com/Kd09gzh78h
In his mixed martial arts debut, things did not go according to plan for former GLORY Kickboxing light heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov. Known by most MMA fans as the last man to defeat ex-UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira in the world of kickboxing, Artem Vakhitov stepped into the cage on Sunday for a main event […]
Artem Vakhitov, the last man to defeat former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira in kickboxing has booked his mixed martial arts debut. Armet Vakhitov, a two-time GLORY Kickboxing light heavyweight champion, holds the distinction of being the last man to hand Alex Pereira a loss before the Brazilian boogeyman made his own transition to MMA. […]