Ciryl Gane has brought kickboxer Artem Vakhitov into his training camp as he prepares to face Alex Pereira at UFC White House. Vakhitov holds particular significance as a sparring partner because he is the last person to defeat Pereira in kickboxing, having beaten him in 2021. The addition of Vakhitov suggests Gane is specifically tailoring his preparation to exploit any weaknesses that led to Pereira's kickboxing loss. This strategic move demonstrates Gane's methodical approach to preparing for the former Glory champion. Details about the duration or intensity of Vakhitov's involvement in camp are not specified.
Ciryl Gane has added Russian kickboxing standout Artem Vakhitov to his training camp as he prepares to challenge UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira at UFC White House on June 14.
Gane, known as "Bon Gamin," enters the fight ranked second in the heavyweight division with a 14-2 record. The 36-year-old Frenchman, who trains out of MMA Factory, stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach and is one of the sport's most technical strikers, averaging 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy. He also brings a well-rounded game, averaging 0.68 takedowns and 0.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Pereira, 38, is the reigning light heavyweight champion carrying a 13-4 record. The Brazilian striker trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, and averages 5.16 significant strikes per minute. A former Glory kickboxing champion, Pereira has built his combat sports legacy almost entirely on elite-level striking.
The choice of Vakhitov as a sparring partner carries obvious strategic weight. The 35-year-old Russian orthodox fighter, who competes under the Kuzbass Muay Thai Federation banner, holds a 3-1 MMA record and is notable for his exceptional kickboxing credentials, including an 85 percent striking accuracy rate. Critically, Vakhitov is the last man to defeat Pereira in kickboxing, doing so in 2021, making him a uniquely qualified resource for studying the champion's tendencies and vulnerabilities.
Why it matters
- Gane is deliberately sourcing a sparring partner with firsthand knowledge of how to beat Pereira on the feet
- Vakhitov's 85 percent striking accuracy and orthodox stance mirror the kind of precise, technical striking Gane will need to replicate
- The matchup pits two of combat sports' most technically gifted strikers against each other, and Gane's camp preparation reflects how seriously he is approaching that dimension of the fight
Sunday, June 14, 2026
