Ciryl Gane has recruited kickboxer Artem Vakhitov to his training camp in preparation for his fight against Alex Pereira at UFC White House. Vakhitov is notably the last person to defeat Pereira in kickboxing, having won their bout in 2021. The addition of Vakhitov to Gane's camp is strategically significant given his experience against Pereira. No additional details about the specific aspects of training or the duration of Vakhitov's involvement are provided in the post.
Ciryl Gane has added Russian kickboxing standout Artem Vakhitov to his training camp ahead of his light heavyweight title challenge against Alex Pereira at UFC White House on June 14.
The move carries clear strategic intent. Vakhitov is the last fighter on record to defeat Pereira in a kickboxing bout, doing so in 2021, making him a uniquely valuable sparring and preparation asset for Gane's team at MMA Factory.
Gane, known by the nickname Bon Gamin, holds a 14-2 record and is currently ranked second in the light heavyweight division. The 36-year-old Frenchman stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach and posts an impressive 5.29 significant strikes landed per minute, with a 61 percent striking accuracy. His well-rounded game also includes 0.68 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him tools beyond pure striking.
Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion, enters at 13-4. The 38-year-old Brazilian, nicknamed Poatan, stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach and lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy. His knockout power has defined his UFC run, and his striking credentials from combat sports extend well beyond MMA.
Vakhitov brings his own formidable striking pedigree to Gane's preparation. The 35-year-old Russian, who trains with the Kuzbass Muay Thai Federation, carries a kickboxing-era 3-1 record and an exceptional 85 percent striking accuracy. Standing six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach, his firsthand experience against Pereira's style gives Gane's camp a direct reference point that few training partners could offer.
Why it matters
- Vakhitov's 2021 victory over Pereira makes him the most specific preparation tool Gane could bring in for this matchup
- Pereira's striking has proven elite at heavyweight and light heavyweight; finding sparring partners with comparable output and style is a genuine challenge
- Gane's ranking and record position this as a genuine title fight with divisional consequences at the top of the 205-pound weight class
Sunday, June 14, 2026
