Ciryl Gane has brought Artem Vakhitov into his training camp in preparation for UFC White House. Vakhitov is notably the last person to defeat Alex Pereira in kickboxing, which occurred in 2021. This strategic choice suggests Gane is seeking specific preparation against Pereira's striking style. The heavyweight contender appears to be leveraging Vakhitov's experience and knowledge of Pereira's tendencies. No additional details about the camp or training specifics were provided.
Ciryl Gane has added Russian kickboxing standout Artem Vakhitov to his training camp ahead of his UFC White House bout against Alex Pereira on June 14, 2026, in a move that signals a deliberate focus on studying the champion's striking game.
Gane, nicknamed Bon Gamin, enters the camp ranked second in the UFC heavyweight division with a 14-2 record. The 36-year-old Frenchman out of MMA Factory stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach and is one of the most prolific strikers in the heavyweight division, averaging 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy. He also mixes in takedowns and submission attempts, averaging 0.68 takedowns and 0.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Pereira, 38, is the reigning light heavyweight champion carrying a 13-4 record. The Brazilian, who trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, also stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach and averages 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy. His knockout power and kickboxing pedigree have made him one of the most feared strikers in the sport.
That is precisely where Vakhitov becomes a significant asset. The 35-year-old orthodox fighter from Russia, who competes under the Kuzbass Muay Thai Federation banner, holds the distinction of being the last fighter to defeat Pereira in competition, doing so in kickboxing in 2021. Standing six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach, Vakhitov carries a 3-1 MMA record and an exceptional striking accuracy rate of 85 percent.
Why it matters
- Vakhitov's firsthand experience defeating Pereira gives Gane's camp rare and specific tactical intelligence on the champion's tendencies.
- Gane moves up from heavyweight to challenge the light heavyweight titleholder, adding an unusual cross-divisional dimension to the bout.
- Both Gane and Pereira are high-volume orthodox strikers, making technical preparation and timing likely central to Gane's game plan.
Sunday, June 14, 2026
