Artem Vakhitov, the last fighter to defeat Alex Pereira in kickboxing and currently helping Ciryl Gane with his preparation, stated in a recent interview that Pereira will lose his upcoming fight because he has gained too much muscle mass. Vakhitov's comments come as he works in Gane's corner, providing insight from someone with direct experience defeating Pereira. The criticism focuses on Pereira's physical conditioning and weight gain potentially affecting his performance. No specific fight or opponent was named in the excerpt provided.
Artem Vakhitov, the last man to beat Alex Pereira in a professional kickboxing contest, has gone public with a pointed prediction: the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion will lose his next fight because he has packed on too much muscle mass.
Vakhitov, 35, carries a 3-1 MMA record and represents the Kuzbass Muay Thai Federation out of Russia. He stands six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach and has posted a striking accuracy rate of 85 percent in his MMA appearances — a figure that underlines the technical precision that once gave Pereira serious problems on the feet. He is currently working in the corner of Ciryl Gane as part of the Frenchman's fight camp, a role that gives his commentary an added layer of relevance.
Gane, 36, is ranked second in the UFC heavyweight division and carries a 14-2 record. Training out of MMA Factory, the six-foot-four heavyweight lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute and holds an 81-inch reach, making him one of the most technically complete strikers in his weight class.
The target of Vakhitov's critique, Pereira, is 38 years old and holds a 13-4 record. The Brazilian stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach and lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy. He is the reigning light heavyweight champion and trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness.
Vakhitov's argument centers on Pereira's physical conditioning rather than technical shortcomings, suggesting that added muscle bulk could compromise the champion's performance in his next outing. No specific opponent or date was mentioned.
Why it matters
- Vakhitov's firsthand experience defeating Pereira gives his assessment more weight than typical outside commentary
- His active role in Gane's preparation hints at a potential strategic dimension to the remarks
- Any conditioning concerns about Pereira carry immediate divisional stakes given his status as light heavyweight champion
