LAS VEGAS – It wouldn’t be the first time a champion kickboxer transitioned to MMA to chase a former foe holding a UFC title, and Artem Vakhitov isn’t hiding the fact he hopes to face Alex Pereira again. Vakhitov (3-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) earned a UFC contract by finishing Islem Masraf in the first round at Dana White’s Contender Series 75. Now that he’s in the same promotion with UFC light heavyweight champion Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC), the chase is…

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Artem Vakhitov vows to earn Alex Pereira trilogy after UFC contract win: 'I think it's 2-0'

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Artem Vakhitov picked up a huge win on Dana White's Contender Series - and Alex Pereira was right there to watch it all unfold.

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The last man to defeat Alex Pereira in kickboxing Artem Vakhitov scores Contender Series KO in front of ‘Poatan’

Artem Vakhitov | Zuffa LLC  Alex Pereira and Artem Vakhitov may be fierce rivals when it comes to combat sports, but there’s nothing but respect between them outside the ring. On Tuesday night, Vakhitov scored a first-round knockout on Contender Series but UFC CEO Dana White was on the fence about whether or not to sign him to a contract. After attending the UFC APEX show to watch Vakhitov’s performance, Pereira actually put in a good word for t…

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Former foes Alex Pereira, Artem Vakhitov run into each other backstage after Contender Series: ‘You owe me one’

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC  Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight! Welcome to Midnight Mania! All eyes were on Artem Vakhitov ahead of his Contenders Series main event slot versus Islem Masraf, which wrapped up earlier on Tuesday (Oct. 8, 2024) from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Why was everyone so interested in a 2-1 Light Heavyweight? Being a Glory champion certainly separates him from the pack…

MMA Mania

Highlights! Alex Pereira Killer Scores Nasty KO ... In Front Of Poatan!

Dana White reveals he needed Alex Pereira to convince him to offer kickboxing rival Artem Vakhitov a place on the UFC roster.

Bloody Elbow

Alex Pereira convinces Dana White to sign kickboxing nemesis to the UFC following first-round KO on Contender Series

LAS VEGAS – It was Artem Vakhitov’s former kickboxing rival who talked Dana White into signing him to the UFC. Vakhitov (3-1) earned a UFC contract Tuesday when he scored a first-round TKO of Islem Masraf (3-1) at Dana White’s Contender Collection 75 from the UFC Apex. White admits he was initially hesitant to signal former two-time Glory mild heavyweight champion Vakhitov, the final man to defeat Alex Pereira in kickboxing, however “Poatan” sat…

Big Sport News

Dana White says Alex Pereira convinced him to sign Artem Vakhitov

UFC CEO, Dana White has revealed crunch talks with light heavyweight king, Alex Pereira following last night’s Contender Series return — before inking Russian striking ace, Artem Vakhitov — a two-fight foe of the Brazilian, to an Octagon contract. Vakhitov, a former undisputed light heavyweight champion in GLORY Kickboxing, featured on last night’s edition of the Contender Series — landing a first round knockout win over Islem Masraf before the …

LowKickMMA.com

Dana White Reveals Alex Pereira’s Key Role In Signing Artem Vakhitov, Admits 'Tremendous Pressure' Of DWCS

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight! Welcome to Midnight Mania! All eyes were on Artem Vakhitov ahead of his Contenders Series main event slot versus Islem Masraf, which wrapped up earlier on Tuesday (Oct. 8, 2024) from the UFC Apex in […]

Pundit 365

Highlights! Alex Pereira Killer Scores Nasty KO … In Front Of Poatan!

Artem Vakhitov, the last man to defeat Alex Pereira before the light heavyweight champion transitioned from kickboxing to MMA, is now on the UFC roster. Vakhitov, along with Kody Steele, Mario Pinto, and Islam Dulatov were offered UFC contracts on Tuesday night following successful performances on “Dana White’s Contender Series” from the APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Former GLORY Kickboxing Champion Vakhitov earned a finish in what became his …

Knockdown News

Former Alex Pereira Opponent Artem Vakhitov Among Four UFC Contract Winners on ‘Contender Series’

Alex Pereira helped secure a UFC contract for his former kickboxing rival, Artem Vakhitov, after Vakhitov's impressive performance on Dana White's Contender Series. Pereira's recommendation and Vakhitov's talent led to his signing. A potential future matchup between the two fighters could materialize in the UFC.
The post Alex Pereira Helps His Former Nemesis, Artem Vakhitov Secure a UFC Contract first appeared on MMA UK.

Artem Vakhitov vows to earn Alex Pereira trilogy after UFC contract win: 'I think it's 2-0'

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