Ciryl Gane has invited kickboxer Artem Vakhitov to join his training camp in preparation for his fight against Alex Pereira. Vakhitov holds the distinction of being the last person to defeat Pereira in kickboxing, with that win occurring in 2021. This strategic addition to Gane's camp suggests he is seeking expert insights into Pereira's striking style and potential weaknesses. Vakhitov's firsthand experience against Pereira could prove invaluable. The move highlights Gane's thorough preparation for the high-profile matchup.
Ciryl Gane has brought Russian kickboxing standout Artem Vakhitov into his training camp as he prepares to face light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, a move that signals a deliberate focus on decoding Pereira's striking arsenal.
Gane, 36, enters the matchup as the number-two ranked heavyweight, carrying a 14-2 record and fighting out of MMA Factory in France. The six-foot-four Frenchman, known as "Bon Gamin," is one of the sport's most technically refined strikers, averaging 5.29 significant strikes per minute. His 81-inch reach gives him one of the longest frames in the game, and he supplements his stand-up with a modest takedown threat at 0.68 per 15 minutes.
Vakhitov brings something no drilling session or film study can fully replicate: he has actually beaten Alex Pereira. The 35-year-old Russian handed Pereira a kickboxing loss in 2021, making him the last fighter to defeat "Poatan" in any combat sport setting. Though Vakhitov holds a modest 3-1 MMA record, his striking credentials are considerable — he connects at an extraordinary 85 percent accuracy rate and lands 3.88 significant strikes per minute within MMA competition, working out of an orthodox stance with a 75-inch reach.
Pereira, 38, is the reigning light heavyweight champion with a 13-4 record and represents perhaps the most dangerous knockout artist in the UFC. The Brazilian averages 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy, and his orthodox stance and 193-centimeter frame make him a mirror image in size to Gane.
Why it matters
- Vakhitov's firsthand experience against Pereira offers Gane a living blueprint of exploitable patterns in the champion's kickboxing game
- The matchup pits the division's top striker against a heavyweight who is stepping down in size, sharpening the technical stakes considerably
- Gane's camp investment underscores how seriously the French contender is approaching what could be a career-defining performance
