Artem Vakhitov, the last man to defeat Alex Pereira in kickboxing and currently helping Ciryl Gane prepare, has predicted that Pereira will lose his next fight because he has gained too much muscle mass. Vakhitov believes the additional weight will negatively impact Pereira's performance. In related news, Jiri Prochazka responded to criticisms from Alex Ulberg by dismissing them, calling Ulberg a stripper. Islam Makhachev confirmed he has started preparation for his next bout. Hamzat Chimaev responded to trash talk from Sean Strickland by comparing him to a circus clown and stating that Strickland privately admits he's just promoting fights.
Artem Vakhitov, the Russian kickboxer who holds the distinction of being the last fighter to defeat Alex Pereira in kickboxing competition, has publicly predicted that Pereira will fall in his next outing, citing what he sees as the Brazilian star's excessive muscle gain as the primary reason for his anticipated decline in performance. Vakhitov, who is currently working as part of Ciryl Gane's training camp, believes the added mass will weigh negatively on Pereira when it matters most.
Elsewhere in the light heavyweight division, number-two-ranked contender Jiri Prochazka found himself at the center of a verbal exchange after Alex Ulberg directed criticism his way. The Czech Republic's Prochazka, 33, wasted little time firing back, dismissing Ulberg's remarks and labeling him a stripper. The 32-6-1 veteran, who stands six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach, is among the most prolific strikers in the division, averaging 5.69 significant strikes landed per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate.
At welterweight, reigning champion Islam Makhachev has confirmed that he has begun preparations for his next fight. The 34-year-old Russian southpaw carries a 28-1-0 record and holds the pound-for-pound top ranking. A dominant grappler, Makhachev averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands submissions at a rate of 1.1 attempts per 15 minutes, with 58 percent striking accuracy rounding out his well-balanced game.
Why it matters
- Vakhitov's prediction carries some weight given his firsthand experience defeating Pereira, making his physical assessment more than idle commentary.
- Prochazka's ongoing verbal clash with Ulberg signals a potential light heavyweight matchup gaining momentum.
- Makhachev confirming camp has begun points to an imminent welterweight title defense announcement.
- Middleweight champion Sean Strickland, who carries a 31-7-0 record and averages 6.04 significant strikes per minute, responded to Hamzat Chimaev's trash talk by drawing a sharp retort — Chimaev compared him to a circus clown and suggested Strickland privately acknowledges the feud is promotional posturing.
