Ciryl Gane has recruited kickboxer Artem Vakhitov to his training camp as he prepares for his bout at UFC White House. Vakhitov is notably the last person to defeat Alex Pereira in kickboxing, with that victory occurring in 2021. This strategic addition to Gane's camp suggests he is seeking specific preparation against Pereira's striking style. The UFC White House event represents a significant matchup for Gane. Vakhitov's experience against Pereira could provide valuable insights for Gane's game plan.
Ciryl Gane has added kickboxing champion 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 move signals a deliberate effort by Gane's team to study and replicate the striking approach of one of combat sports' most dangerous knockout artists.
Gane, known by his nickname "Bon Gamin," enters the camp carrying a 14-2 record and holds the number-two ranking in the heavyweight division. The 36-year-old Frenchman out of MMA Factory stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach and has built his reputation on technical, high-volume striking, averaging 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy, while also mixing in takedowns and submission attempts to keep opponents guessing.
Vakhitov brings a very specific piece of value to that camp. The 35-year-old Russian, who fights out of the Kuzbass Muay Thai Federation, holds the notable distinction of being the last fighter to defeat Alex Pereira in kickboxing, a victory that came in 2021. Standing six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach, Vakhitov carries an 85 percent striking accuracy rate in his MMA record of 3-1, making him a sharp and technically sound sparring and strategy resource.
Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion fighting out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, holds a 13-4 record and brings his own six-foot-four frame and a 79-inch reach into every fight. The 38-year-old Brazilian averages 5.16 significant strikes per minute and has built his championship run on elite-level knockout power.
Why it matters
- Vakhitov has first-hand competitive experience against Pereira, offering Gane's team rare, practical insight into the champion's striking tendencies
- The matchup pits the number-two ranked heavyweight against the light heavyweight champion, making the divisional stakes unusually high
- Both Gane and Pereira are orthodox, similarly sized strikers, placing a premium on technical striking preparation
Sunday, June 14, 2026
