October 9, 2024 9:20 pm ET
LAS VEGAS – It wouldn’t be the primary time a champion kickboxer transitioned to MMA to chase a former foe holding a UFC title, and Artem Vakhitov isn’t hiding the very fact he hopes to face Alex Pereira once more.
Vakhitov (3-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) earned a UFC contract by ending Islem Masraf within the first spherical at Dana White’s Contender Sequence 75. Now that he’s in the identical promotion with UFC gentle heavyweight champion Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC), the chase is on.
The pair battled twice in kickboxing, splitting determination leads to 2021. Neither man denies the storyline in a possible trilogy, very similar to when Pereira entered the UFC and was fast-tracked to a 3rd, after which fourth, assembly with then-middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
Pereira, 37, who simply retained his gentle heavyweight title by defeating Khalil Rountree in a Combat of the Night time fundamental occasion at UFC 307, flew in to look at Vakhitov, 33, compete on the UFC Apex.
“I had no thought he was going to be right here, however as I used to be strolling out, I noticed that he was sitting within the viewers, and to be sincere, it form of lit the fireplace a bit of bit, form of motivated me much more.” Vakhitov stated by way of an interpreter throughout a post-fight information convention.” The motivation labored, as Vakhitov turned in a first-round TKO end. Not only a motivator from the sideline, Pereira additionally ended up being the convincing voice urging UFC CEO Dana White to signal him after his efficiency.
The storyline for a possible assembly within the UFC writes itself. However not like Adesanya, who couldn’t recover from the Pereira hump till their fourth assembly, the collection between Vakhitov and Pereira is tied, and there’s no animosity between them.
“I respect him and he respects me,” Vakhitov stated. “There’s nothing however respect by way of each of our groups. We had an awesome historical past in kickboxing, and after we left that chapter of our life, we left on actually good phrases. I’ve by no means had any sick will in direction of him.
“He additionally congratulated me on the battle. He stated it was an awesome battle and I instructed him that we quickly will see one another. It’s going to take a while. I’ve nothing however a sportsman-like curiosity in seeing him within the octagon. When it occurs ultimately, I believe it’s going to be additionally completed with respect, similar to in kickboxing. I actually do assume that each of us are very a lot simply good sportsmen. We’re respectful, we respect one another’s workforce, and simply going to see one another as fighters.”
Even with the story outlined, Vakhitov stated he gained’t rush by way of the chapters. He’s nicely conscious of the place each he and Pereira are at this level of their careers, and is able to climb the ladder to ultimately attain the highest of the division.
Vakhitov can be conscious of the stress that comes with every look he makes transferring ahead, as many will anticipate him to satisfy the future of incomes a trilogy with Pereira.
“I considered ultimately there was perhaps a risk that we might battle once more,” Vakhitov stated. “To be sincere, we’re 1-1. That’s what the historical past books say, however clearly, I believe it’s 2-0.
“… A loss right this moment was not an possibility. We needed to come right here, we knew we had been coming into the cage with the win in thoughts. I’m certain that going ahead, whether or not it’s debut or different fights, it’s going to be on my shoulders; it’s going to be hanging over me much more as a result of there’s that narrative.”
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