Ciryl Gane brings Artem Vakhitov into camp for Pereira bout

Ciryl Gane has brought kickboxing champion Artem Vakhitov into his training camp as he prepares to face UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at UFC White House on June 14.

Gane, known by his nickname "Bon Gamin," holds a 14-2 record and is the number-two-ranked heavyweight contender, though this bout will take place at light heavyweight against the reigning champion. 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 more technically refined strikers in the sport, averaging 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy. He also mixes in takedowns and submission attempts at a steady rate, giving him a well-rounded threat profile.

Vakhitov, 35, is the detail that makes this camp addition particularly notable. The Russian kickboxer, who fights out of the Kuzbass Muay Thai Federation, is the last fighter to defeat Alex Pereira in kickboxing, doing so in 2021. Standing six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach, Vakhitov carries an 85 percent striking accuracy rate in his MMA appearances, suggesting exceptional technical precision with his hands and feet.

Pereira, 38, is the reigning light heavyweight champion with a 13-4 record. The Brazilian, who trains at Teixeira MMA and Fitness, averages 5.16 significant strikes per minute and has built a fearsome reputation for knockout power throughout both his kickboxing and UFC careers.

Why it matters

• Vakhitov is the last man to beat Pereira in kickboxing, giving Gane a first-hand source on the champion's striking patterns and potential vulnerabilities
• The pairing signals a heavily strike-focused camp preparation, matching the likely stand-up nature of this fight
• A win would deliver Gane a second major title run, this time in a division where he has not previously competed