Arthem Vakhitov (right) at the weigh-in for his Contender Series fight. Photo: Instagram/ said_saparov
Tied with Alex Poatán, with one win each in kickboxing matches, Artem Vakhitov enters action today (08) in the 'Dana White's Contender Series' in search of a contract with the UFC. Although he wants a trilogy against the champion, the Russian guarantees he has nothing personal against the Brazilian.
Despite having an established rivalry with UFC light heavyweight (up to 93 kg) champion Vakhitov, who I recently said that Poatan is not a good striker, guarantees that in his history with the Brazilian there is no resentment. In a recent statement to 'MMA Junkies', the fighter revealed that he exchanged messages with the Brazilian but is still interested in facing him.
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“We have a history with Alex, and it’s a good opportunity to face him again. It’s of great interest to me. I’ve seen that the strikers are doing very well. I really want to show my skills. There’s nothing personal against Alex. After our kickboxing fight, we were exchanging messages and had a lot of conversations. I just wish him to win as much as he can until we meet again,” Vakhitov said.
But before he can put Poatan in his sights, the Russian kickboxer needs to be in the UFC, and he will get his chance today through the 'Contender Series', where he will face Frenchman Islem Masraf in a light heavyweight fight.
“I’m ready for it. But first of all, I need to finish the fight that’s coming up. I’m ready to do that. I think people will really like it. For the organizers, for the promoters, this is also of great interest. I’m ready for it. Let’s go,” Artem concluded.
Rivalry with Poatan
Vakhitov and Poatan first faced off in kickboxing at GLORY 77 in January 2021, where Pereira won by split decision. Eight months later at GLORY 78, the two collided again, and this time it was Vakhitov who emerged victorious by majority decision.
The fight with Vakhitov was the Brazilian's last in kickboxing. After that, Alex began to dedicate himself exclusively to MMA and built his career within the UFC with 9 wins and only one loss, winning the middleweight (up to 83,9 kg) and light heavyweight belts. On the other hand, the Russian defended the GLORY title once more before migrating to MMA in June 2023, where he suffered a defeat due to a shoulder injury in the first minute of the fight. Six months later, he returned and won by technical knockout in 92 seconds. Soon after, he achieved another technical knockout in 22 seconds with leg kicks, totaling 2 wins and one loss in the new modality.
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