Artem Vakhitov, who has trained with Ciryl Gane, shared his prediction for the upcoming Pereira versus Gane fight. Vakhitov gives Gane a 70-30 advantage, citing Gane's complete skill set including speed, endurance, fight IQ, classical kickboxing, and distance management. He emphasized that psychology will be the determining factor, stating that if Gane enters the fight angry and aggressive, he believes Gane will succeed. Vakhitov's assessment is based on his direct training experience with the French heavyweight.
Artem Vakhitov has gone on record predicting that Ciryl Gane holds a decisive edge over Alex Pereira in their upcoming heavyweight clash, giving the French contender a 70-30 advantage based on firsthand training experience with Gane.
Vakhitov, a 35-year-old Russian fighter who competes under the Kuzbass Muay Thai Federation banner, carries a 3-1-0 professional record and brings notable striking credentials to his assessment. Standing six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach, he lands an eye-catching 3.88 significant strikes per minute at 85 percent accuracy. His direct time on the mat with Gane gives his prediction a layer of credibility that goes beyond outside observation.
Gane, nicknamed Bon Gamin, is ranked second in the heavyweight division at 36 years old and holds a 14-2-0 record. The six-foot-four Frenchman out of MMA Factory generates 5.29 significant strikes per minute and has demonstrated versatility with 0.68 takedowns and 0.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Vakhitov cited Gane's speed, endurance, fight IQ, classical kickboxing, and distance management as the core reasons for his wide probability split.
Standing across from him is the reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, known as Poatan. The 38-year-old Brazilian carries a 13-4-0 record and is moving up in weight for this contest. At six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, Pereira averages 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy, making him one of the most dangerous finishers in the sport.
Why it matters
- Vakhitov's insider perspective as a Gane training partner adds rare firsthand weight to the prediction
- Gane's divisional ranking and well-rounded profile position this as a legitimate title-contention fight for the heavyweight division
- Vakhitov specifically flagged mental approach as the decisive variable, arguing that an aggressive, angry Gane gives him the best chance of success against the champion
