Ciryl Gane has invited kickboxer Artem Vakhitov to join his training camp in preparation for his fight against Alex Pereira. Vakhitov is the last person to have defeated Pereira in kickboxing, achieving this victory in 2021. Gane is seeking specialized striking knowledge from someone who has successfully competed against his upcoming opponent. The French heavyweight hopes to gain insights into Pereira's weaknesses from Vakhitov's experience. This move demonstrates Gane's strategic approach to preparing for the former kickboxing champion.
Ciryl Gane has brought Russian kickboxer Artem Vakhitov into his training camp as he prepares to face light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, with the French contender looking to mine Vakhitov's firsthand experience against "Poatan" for a competitive edge.
Gane, known as "Bon Gamin," holds a 14-2 record and sits ranked second in the heavyweight division. The 36-year-old Frenchman trains out of MMA Factory and stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach, making him one of the more technically gifted strikers in the sport. He averages 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy, and also mixes in takedowns and submission attempts to keep opponents guessing.
Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion, carries a 13-4 record and brings comparable dimensions at six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach. The 38-year-old Brazilian outputs 5.16 significant strikes per minute and is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous knockout artists in MMA, a reputation built on a decorated kickboxing career before his transition to the cage.
That is precisely where Vakhitov becomes valuable. The 35-year-old Russian, who stands six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach, handed Pereira his most recent kickboxing defeat in 2021. His MMA record stands at 3-1, and his striking numbers are striking in their own right — he lands 3.88 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 85 percent accuracy rate. Operating out of the Kuzbass Muay Thai Federation, Vakhitov brings elite-level stand-up credentials that translate directly to what Gane needs.
Why it matters
- Pereira's lone recent kickboxing loss came against Vakhitov, making him uniquely qualified to identify tendencies and vulnerabilities in Pereira's striking game.
- Gane's decision to recruit a specialized sparring partner reflects a calculated, technique-first approach to facing one of MMA's most feared strikers.
- The matchup pits Gane's volume and range management against a champion whose power has finished opponents at both light heavyweight and heavyweight.
