A determine from Alex Pereira’s kickboxing previous sees some gaping holes within the UFC gentle heavyweight champion’s recreation.
When Israel Adesanya reigned supreme over the UFC’s middleweight division and defeat appeared a distant chance, discuss emerged of 1 man whom he couldn’t get the higher of in kickboxing crossing over to combined martial arts.
That man was Pereira, who now occupies the sunshine heavyweight throne having beforehand unseated “The Final Stylebender” at 185 kilos. And “Poatan” is now the topic of comparable dialogue.
In 2021 — Pereira’s closing 12 months within the striking-only sport — the present UFC star did battle with Artem Vakhitov twice beneath the Glory Kickboxing banner. After falling on the appropriate facet of a break up choice first time round, the Brazilian was outpointed within the rematch, marking the tip of his journey within the promotion and the game as an entire.
Vakhitov, in the meantime, received a single subsequent battle earlier than making his personal transition to MMA, the place he’s since gone 2-1 contained in the cage.
Whereas nonetheless early on in his journey, the Russian seems to already be laying the groundwork for a 3rd fight sports activities showdown with Pereira in a special atmosphere…
Artem Vakhitov: Alex Pereira Very ‘Open’ To Punches
Throughout a current interview with MMA Preventing, Vakhitov spoke about his enterprise to MMA and unsurprising need to work his technique to a history-fueled conflict in opposition to Pereira on the game’s largest stage.
“MMA was at all times fascinating for me anyway, however clearly I’m very motivated by the prospect of getting that trilogy match with Pereira,” Vakhitov mentioned. “He’s a celebrity now and I’m pleased for him, however once I hear individuals saying he’s the most effective striker on the earth … effectively, I believe it’s time for MMA followers to find out about me and my group, put it that manner.”
Vakhitov went on the break down what he seemingly percieves to be an overrated hanging recreation, highlighting the most important weak point he sees in Pereira’s strategy. And the 33-year-old used “Poatan’s” sole defeat to Adesanya at UFC 287 in April 2023 because the prime instance of it.
“His largest weak point is that he’s all assault, he has no protection,” Vakhitov mentioned. “Due to his lack of protection, he’s open to taking numerous punches to the top if he’s going through a talented striker. You noticed that in his second battle with Adesanya. He obtained caught as a result of he leaves numerous openings for individuals who know what they’re doing.
“These different guys haven’t completed effectively in opposition to Alex as a result of their hanging isn’t at a excessive sufficient stage. They aren’t assured in opposition to him they usually suppose he’s unbeatable, so of their coronary heart they’re already defeated earlier than the battle begins,” Vakhitov continued. “However I’ve crushed him earlier than in pure hanging competitors, and I’m certain I’ll do it once more if we will get our trilogy match within the UFC.”
Pereira was fast to answer his former kickboxing rival, advising the Russian to keep away from taking place this path off the again of what he described as unhealthy recommendation from someone near him.
“Poatan” signed off by recommending a Vakhitov whom he described as “misplaced” to hunt administration, and he even offered a advice for his ex-opponent.
