Former GLORY champion Artem Vakhitov declined a UFC contract due to inflexible financial terms and will instead face GLORY heavyweight kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven in June, while leaving the door open for potential future UFC opportunities.
Former GLORY champion Artem Vakhitov has shifted gears, deciding against a UFC career. The Russian striker nabbed a contract after triumphing on Dana White’s Contender Series last October. This victory seemed to set the stage for a potential showdown with ex-UFC light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira.
Ah, Pereira! Vakhitov had bested him in their final kickboxing clash before Pereira’s MMA transition. They split two bouts in GLORY, leaving fans hungry for more. But, alas, the anticipated trilogy remains on hold. Vakhitov and his team opted out of the UFC offer, aiming instead for a June face-off with GLORY heavyweight champ Rico Verhoeven.
Vakhitov expressed joy over his DWCS win and subsequent UFC offer. He even noted Pereira’s presence as a tantalizing prospect for another bout. Yet, when crunch time arrived, the UFC’s rigid contract policies became apparent. “I respect their structure,” Vakhitov stated, acknowledging his need to maximize earnings for his family during his limited fighting years.
At 33, Vakhitov is no rookie; he’s a seasoned kickboxer venturing into MMA. His history with Pereira added spice to the UFC contract talks. With a 3-1 MMA record—all knockouts—his prowess is undeniable. Negotiations hit a snag when Vakhitov’s management sought terms akin to those offered to Pereira upon joining the UFC.
Andrey Busygin, Vakhitov’s manager, found the UFC’s fixed-term policy unfair given Artem’s accolades. Despite professional negotiations, they passed on the deal. The dream of completing the trilogy with Pereira lingers but remains unrealized—for now.
With the UFC chapter closed (for now), Vakhitov returns to kickboxing for a colossal bout against Verhoeven at GLORY 100 in June. “This fight’s been on my radar since 2017,” Vakhitov revealed, eager to challenge ‘The King’ of the division.
GLORY sweetened the pot with an enticing offer for this much-anticipated matchup. Busygin confirmed that GLORY’s proposal made perfect sense financially and strategically for Vakhitov at this juncture.
The door to the UFC isn’t bolted shut forever, though. Vakhitov harbors no hard feelings towards the promotion and remains open to future possibilities. “Who knows what tomorrow brings?” he mused, leaving room for speculation and hope among fans waiting for that elusive trilogy conclusion.