Artem Vakhitov, who last defeated Alex Pereira in kickboxing and is now helping Ciryl Gane prepare, predicts Pereira will lose because he has gained too much muscle mass. Jiri Prochazka responded to accusations from Carlos Ulberg by dismissing critiques from a "stripper." Carlos Prates did a face-off with Jack Della Maddalena alongside his daughter, explaining to her who the bad guy is. Islam Makhachev confirmed he has started training camp for his next fight. Hamzat Chimaev commented on Sean Strickland's trash talk, comparing it to a circus clown and noting Strickland becomes friendly in person. Colby Covington expressed frustration that the UFC shows no interest in him or promoting him for major events.
Artem Vakhitov, the kickboxer who holds a victory over Alex Pereira and is currently serving as a sparring partner for Ciryl Gane, has gone on record predicting that Pereira will lose his next fight, citing what he believes is an excessive gain in muscle mass that will work against the champion.
Vakhitov offered no diplomatic hedging in his assessment, arguing that Pereira's physical transformation has made him slower and more vulnerable. The claim carries some credibility given Vakhitov's firsthand experience defeating Pereira on the kickboxing circuit, though it remains one man's opinion rather than verified analysis.
Jiri Prochazka, ranked second in the light heavyweight division at 33 years old and carrying a 32-6-1 record, fired back at Carlos Ulberg after the New Zealander leveled accusations at the Czech fighter. Prochazka's response was characteristically blunt, dismissing criticism from someone he called a "stripper" without elaborating further. Prochazka operates out of Jetsaam Gym Brno and lands an imposing 5.69 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the division's most dangerous offensive threats.
Islam Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion and the top pound-for-pound fighter in the database at 28-1-0, confirmed publicly that he has begun training camp ahead of his next title defense. The 34-year-old Dagestani southpaw is among the sport's most complete fighters, averaging 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes while also connecting on 58 percent of his significant strikes.
Hamzat Chimaev weighed in on the ongoing noise surrounding Sean Strickland, the 35-year-old middleweight champion who holds a 31-7-0 record. Chimaev likened Strickland's public persona to a circus clown but noted that the American becomes considerably more personable when the cameras are off.
Why it matters
- Vakhitov's prediction adds pressure to Pereira's camp ahead of a fight with Gane, whom Vakhitov is actively helping prepare
- Prochazka's public shot at Ulberg suggests tensions in the light heavyweight division are rising beyond the obvious title picture
- Makhachev opening camp signals the welterweight division's timeline is moving, with contenders on notice
- Colby Covington separately voiced frustration at being sidelined by the UFC, adding another name to a crowded list of fighters seeking clarity on their futures
