Artem Vakhitov, the last fighter to defeat Alex Pereira, is eager to resolve their intense rivalry through an MMA trilogy fight. Following his decision to decline a UFC contract after Dana White’s Contender Series, Vakhitov aims to face Pereira once again, this time potentially under MMA rules.
Vakhitov Eyes Rematch Against Alex Pereira in MMA
Artem Vakhitov plans to focus on his rivalry with Alex Pereira after his upcoming fight against Rico Verhoeven at Glory 100. The two have met twice previously, splitting victories, with Pereira winning their first match and Vakhitov taking the second. Their unresolved competition has prompted Vakhitov to pursue a final, decisive fight, with the possibility of crossing into MMA.
In an interview with Bloody Elbow, Vakhitov reflected on their story and Pereira’s rise to UFC stardom. He said,
“It was a very great story with Alex. People really remember it very well, and now Alex has become a superstar of the UFC.”
He continued,
“I’m really ready to fight him again, even in MMA rules. In kickboxing, we have our own story. It was a great story; why not make a trilogy there?”
The fighter also addressed opinions on his prior win, suggesting the competitive nature of their bouts justifies a third match.
“Some people think it was not my win because it was a close fight, so I think it would be a good trilogy.”
“I’m pretty sure the win will be on my side in our third fight.” —Artem Vakhitov
Vakhitov Interested in Glory’s Last Heavyweight Standing Tournament
Aside from his focus on Pereira, Vakhitov expressed enthusiasm for participating in the Glory Last Heavyweight Standing tournament. He has followed previous rounds closely and is keen to compete against the top heavyweights in kickboxing.
Regarding his weight, Vakhitov showed a flexible attitude, emphasizing performance over size. He stated,
“With great pleasure, I would like to join. I’ve already watched the first round at the last Glory event.”
“As I’ve said many times, the weight is not so important, I don’t put too much attention on that. As you could see in the last round, the weight is not important.” —Artem Vakhitov
Vakhitov’s pursuit of an Alex Pereira trilogy fight in MMA highlights the growing interest in crossover bouts between kickboxing and mixed martial arts. If their third encounter takes place, it could not only settle their rivalry but also attract significant attention within the combat sports world. Meanwhile, his participation in the Glory tournament could further showcase his skills on a prominent stage, solidifying his place among elite heavyweights.