Ciryl Gane has brought kickboxer Artem Vakhitov into his training camp to prepare for his upcoming fight at UFC White House against Alex Pereira. Vakhitov holds special significance as the last person to defeat Pereira in kickboxing, with that victory coming in 2021. This strategic addition to Gane's camp suggests he is studying Pereira's weaknesses from his kickboxing career. The move demonstrates Gane's thorough approach to preparation for the high-stakes matchup. No further details about the training camp or fight date were provided.
Ciryl Gane has added Russian kickboxing standout Artem Vakhitov to his training camp as he prepares to face light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at UFC White House on June 14, 2026. The inclusion of Vakhitov carries clear strategic intent: he is the last man to defeat Pereira in kickboxing, doing so in 2021.
Gane, nicknamed "Bon Gamin," enters the matchup 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 lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy. He also mixes in a modest grappling game, averaging 0.68 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Pereira, 38, is the reigning light heavyweight champion carrying a 13-4 record. The Brazilian, known as "Poatan," stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach and averages 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy. His striking credentials from combat sports outside the Octagon are well established, making Vakhitov's experience against him a potentially valuable resource for Gane's camp.
Vakhitov, 35, is an orthodox Russian kickboxer out of the Kuzbass Muay Thai Federation. He carries a 3-1 MMA record and brings elite stand-up tools, posting an 85 percent striking accuracy and 3.88 significant strikes per minute. He registers no takedown or submission activity, underscoring his pure striking identity and what he offers Gane as a specialized sparring resource.
Why it matters
- Vakhitov's 2021 kickboxing victory over Pereira gives Gane's team firsthand insight into the champion's tendencies and exploitable habits on the feet
- Both Gane and Pereira are prolific strikers with near-identical height and reach, making the stand-up chess match central to the bout's outcome
- The move signals Gane is treating this camp with exceptional seriousness, looking beyond conventional MMA preparation to gain any available edge
Sunday, June 14, 2026
