Ciryl Gane has enlisted kickboxer Artem Vakhitov to join 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 beaten him in 2021. This strategic move suggests Gane is looking to study Pereira's vulnerabilities through the lens of someone who has already found success against him. The addition of Vakhitov could provide valuable insights into Pereira's fighting style and weaknesses.
Ciryl Gane has brought Russian kickboxing standout Artem Vakhitov into his training camp ahead of his light heavyweight title fight against Alex Pereira at UFC White House on June 14.
Gane, known by his nickname "Bon Gamin," enters the bout ranked second in the light heavyweight division with a professional MMA record of 14-2. The 36-year-old Frenchman trains out of MMA Factory and stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach. He is one of the more technically refined strikers in the heavyweight ranks, averaging 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy, while also mixing in takedown and submission threats at a modest rate.
Vakhitov carries particular significance for this camp. The 35-year-old orthodox fighter from Russia holds a 3-1 MMA record and stands six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach. Competing under the Kuzbass Muay Thai Federation banner, he is the last known fighter to have defeated Pereira in kickboxing, doing so in 2021. His striking numbers are eye-catching — he lands 3.88 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 85 percent accuracy — making him a credible and specialized training partner for a camp built around solving Pereira's game.
Pereira himself is no easy puzzle. The Brazilian champion carries a 13-4 MMA record and holds the light heavyweight title at 38 years old. Standing six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, "Poatan" averages 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy and has established himself as one of the most dangerous knockout artists in UFC history.
Why it matters
- Vakhitov's 2021 kickboxing victory over Pereira gives Gane's camp a firsthand blueprint of potential openings in the champion's striking game.
- Gane's superior reach advantage of two inches over Pereira could become a focal point shaped by Vakhitov's experience.
- The light heavyweight title is on the line, and Gane's ranking as the division's second-best contender makes this a high-stakes matchup with significant divisional implications.
Sunday, June 14, 2026
