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 is notable as the last person to defeat Pereira in kickboxing, achieving that victory in 2021. This strategic addition suggests Gane is seeking specific insights from someone with proven success against his opponent. The move highlights the importance of this matchup and Gane's thorough preparation. No further details on the training camp or fight date were provided in the post.
Ciryl Gane has added Russian kickboxing standout Artem Vakhitov to his training camp as he prepares to face UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at UFC White House on June 14, 2026. The move is a calculated one: Vakhitov is the last fighter to have beaten Pereira in kickboxing competition, doing so in 2021.
Gane, known as "Bon Gamin," enters the bout ranked second in the 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 with an 81-inch reach and produces 5.29 significant strikes per minute at a 61 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the most technically refined strikers in the sport.
Pereira, 38, is the reigning light heavyweight champion representing Brazil and Teixeira MMA and Fitness. "Poatan" carries a 13-4-0 record and matches Gane physically at six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach. He averages 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy, numbers that underline why his striking is regarded as the central threat in any matchup he takes.
Vakhitov brings a precise and studied perspective to Gane's camp. The 35-year-old Russian orthodox striker, standing six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach, posts a striking accuracy rate of 85 percent in his MMA record of 3-1-0, and has direct, firsthand experience solving the puzzle Pereira presents.
Why it matters
- Vakhitov's 2021 kickboxing victory over Pereira gives Gane's camp rare first-hand intelligence on the champion's tendencies and vulnerabilities
- Both men are high-volume orthodox strikers of nearly identical height, making Vakhitov a credible stylistic sparring reference
- Gane moving up to challenge at light heavyweight adds cross-divisional stakes to an already high-profile card
Sunday, June 14, 2026
