Artem Vakhitov vows to earn Alex Pereira trilogy after UFC contract win: ‘I feel it is 2-0’

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 Collection 75. Now that he’s in the identical promotion with UFC mild heavyweight champion Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC), the chase is on.

The pair battled twice in kickboxing, splitting determination ends in 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 mild heavyweight title by defeating Khalil Rountree in a Combat of the Night time major 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 sort of lit the hearth a bit bit, sort of motivated me much more.” Vakhitov mentioned by means 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 sequence between Vakhitov and Pereira is tied, and there’s no animosity between them.

“I respect him and he respects me,” Vakhitov mentioned. “There’s nothing however respect by means of each of our groups. We had an important historical past in kickboxing, and once we left that chapter of our life, we left on actually good phrases. I’ve by no means had any in poor health will in direction of him.

“He additionally congratulated me on the struggle. He mentioned it was an important struggle 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 finally, I feel it’s going to be additionally completed with respect, identical 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 group, and simply going to see one another as fighters.”

Even with the story outlined, Vakhitov mentioned he gained’t rush by means 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 finally attain the highest of the division.

Vakhitov can also be conscious of the stress that comes with every look he makes shifting ahead, as many will anticipate him to satisfy the future of incomes a trilogy with Pereira.

“I thought of finally there was perhaps a chance that we’d struggle once more,” Vakhitov mentioned. “To be sincere, we’re 1-1. That’s what the historical past books say, however clearly, I feel it’s 2-0.

“… A loss at this time was not an choice. 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.”