Ciryl Gane has invited kickboxer Artem Vakhitov to his training camp ahead of his fight with Alex Pereira. Vakhitov was the last fighter to defeat Pereira in kickboxing, achieving the win in 2021. This strategic addition to Gane's team suggests he is looking to exploit any weaknesses Pereira may have based on that past loss. Vakhitov's knowledge of Pereira's style could prove valuable in preparation. The move underscores the importance of this matchup for Gane.
Ciryl Gane has added Russian kickboxing champion Artem Vakhitov to his training camp as he prepares to challenge Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title, a move that carries clear strategic intent given Vakhitov's unique history with the champion.
Gane, nicknamed "Bon Gamin," enters the camp ranked second in the light heavyweight division with a professional MMA record of 14-2-0. The 36-year-old Frenchman, who trains out of MMA Factory, stands six-foot-four and carries an 81-inch reach. 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, 38, is the reigning light heavyweight champion representing Brazil and Teixeira MMA and Fitness. Also standing six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, "Poatan" holds a 13-4-0 record and averages 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy. His striking power and aggression have defined his UFC run.
Vakhitov, 35, brings something no current member of Gane's team can offer: first-hand experience defeating Pereira. The Russian, who competes out of the Kuzbass Muay Thai Federation, handed Pereira his most recent kickboxing loss back in 2021. Standing six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach, Vakhitov carries an MMA record of 3-1-0 and posts a remarkable 85 percent striking accuracy across his fights.
Why it matters
- Vakhitov is the last fighter to beat Pereira, giving Gane's camp a direct blueprint of exploitable tendencies
- The addition signals Gane is treating the striking dimension of this matchup as the central puzzle to solve
- Pereira's accuracy and power at 5.16 strikes per minute make detailed stylistic preparation especially critical for the challenger
