Ciryl Gane has recruited Artem Vakhitov to his training camp in preparation for UFC White House. Vakhitov is the last person to defeat Alex Pereira in kickboxing, having beaten him in 2021. This strategic addition to Gane's camp brings in someone with direct experience defeating his upcoming opponent. The French heavyweight is clearly seeking specific insights from Vakhitov's successful gameplan against Pereira. This training partnership highlights the importance of studying past opponents when preparing for high-level UFC competition.
Ciryl Gane has added a significant tactical weapon to his preparation for UFC White House, bringing Russian kickboxing standout Artem Vakhitov into camp ahead of his June 14 showdown with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
Gane, known as "Bon Gamin," enters the fight as the number-two ranked heavyweight, carrying a 14-2 record and a striking profile that few heavyweights can match. The six-foot-four Frenchman, who fights out of MMA Factory, lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy, and also mixes in takedowns and submission attempts to keep opponents guessing. At 36, he is moving down a weight class to challenge one of combat sports' most feared knockout artists.
Vakhitov brings something no current UFC roster member can offer: a verified victory over Pereira. The 35-year-old Russian holds a 3-1 record in MMA and earned his place in this camp by handing Pereira a defeat in kickboxing back in 2021. Standing six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach and a striking accuracy rate of 85 percent, Vakhitov is a precise, technically disciplined striker whose insight into Pereira's tendencies and vulnerabilities carries obvious value.
Pereira, nicknamed "Poatan," is the reigning light heavyweight champion at 38 years old with a 13-4 record. The Brazilian averages 5.16 significant strikes per minute and fights out of a six-foot-four frame with a 79-inch reach, making him a physically imposing and explosively dangerous title holder.
Why it matters
- Vakhitov is the last known fighter to defeat Pereira, giving Gane direct access to a proven gameplan against the champion
- The addition signals that Gane's camp is prioritizing striking strategy and studying Pereira's specific tendencies and openings
- A heavyweight challenging the light heavyweight champion is a rare crossover matchup, raising the stakes of every preparation decision Gane's team makes
Sunday, June 14, 2026
