Ciryl Gane has invited kickboxer Artem Vakhitov to join his training camp as he prepares to face Alex Pereira. Vakhitov holds the distinction of being the last fighter to defeat Pereira in kickboxing, which occurred in 2021. This strategic move suggests Gane is seeking specialized striking expertise from someone who has successfully solved Pereira's combat style. The addition of Vakhitov to Gane's camp could provide crucial insights into Pereira's tendencies and vulnerabilities.
Ciryl Gane has brought Russian kickboxing champion Artem Vakhitov into his training camp as he prepares to challenge light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
Gane, nicknamed "Bon Gamin," enters the camp as the number-two ranked heavyweight contender with a 14-2 record. The 36-year-old Frenchman trains out of MMA Factory and stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach. He averages 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy, and also factors in the grappling game with 0.68 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Pereira, 38, is the reigning light heavyweight champion out of Brazil. The Brazilian known as "Poatan" carries a 13-4 record and stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach. He lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy, making him one of the most dangerous strikers in MMA.
Vakhitov is the key addition here. The 35-year-old Russian orthodox fighter from the Kuzbass Muay Thai Federation carries a 3-1 MMA record, but it is his kickboxing pedigree that makes him valuable to Gane's preparation. Vakhitov holds the distinction of being the last person to defeat Pereira in kickboxing, a victory that came in 2021. His striking numbers in MMA are notable — an 85 percent striking accuracy rate while landing 3.88 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Vakhitov has first-hand competitive knowledge of Pereira's striking tendencies, having beaten him in kickboxing as recently as 2021.
- Both Gane and Pereira are orthodox, long-limbed strikers of identical height, making Vakhitov's technical input directly applicable to range and timing work.
- Gane is moving up from heavyweight to challenge Pereira at light heavyweight, adding an extra layer of preparation that specialized striking coaches could help address.
- The move signals that Gane's camp views this as a striking-centric fight and is investing heavily in understanding Pereira's patterns.
