The Last Man to Defeat Alex Pereira Snubs UFC – Now Set for a Kickboxing War With a Legend!

Artem Vakhitov, the last fighter to defeat Alex Pereira in kickboxing, has officially turned down a contract with the UFC. The Russian striker had earned a UFC contract after securing a victory on Dana White’s Contender Series, DWCS, in October. This set up a potential showdown with former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, whom Vakhitov had beaten in their last kickboxing fight before Pereira transitioned to MMA.

However, instead of stepping into the UFC octagon, Vakhitov made a surprising decision. He opted out of a deal with the world’s most popular MMA promotion and chose to return to kickboxing. His next challenge is nothing short of monumental. He is set to face Rico Verhoeven, the reigning GLORY heavyweight champion, in a massive bout scheduled for June.

UFC Contract: A Huge Opportunity but Not the Right Deal

When Vakhitov won on DWCS, he was excited about the possibility of continuing his career in MMA and taking on Pereira once again. However, when negotiations started, he and his management team realized that the UFC contract came with strict policies.

The UFC deal offered to him was the standard contract given to all DWCS fighters, with no flexibility for additional negotiations. Vakhitov and his team attempted to work out a better deal, but the UFC’s rigid structure left no room for adjustments. This was a crucial factor in his decision to reject the contract.

Vakhitov explained his reasoning in an interview, saying, “I was obviously delighted to win my fight on DWCS and receive an offer from the UFC. The idea of fighting Alex Pereira again was exciting and felt very close. However, after seeing the terms of the contract, it became clear that the UFC’s policies were non-negotiable. My team tried to discuss modifications, but their system is built to follow strict rules.”

Vakhitov Prioritizes Financial Stability Over UFC Glory

One of the biggest reasons Vakhitov declined the offer was financial security. While many fighters dream of joining the UFC, Vakhitov made it clear that he is a prizefighter, and financial stability plays a significant role in his career decisions.

He emphasized that he has a limited time frame to maximize his earnings as a professional athlete. “I want to be clear that I do not have any issues with the UFC’s approach. I respect their structure, but I am a prizefighter, and I have a family to support. I need to make decisions that ensure my future,” Vakhitov stated.

In kickboxing, especially under GLORY, Vakhitov has a much stronger reputation and bargaining power. As a former GLORY champion, he is highly respected and has the potential to earn more lucrative fight purses than he would have in the UFC, where he would have started on a lower-tier contract.

The Decision to Face Rico Verhoeven in GLORY

With the UFC contract off the table, Vakhitov shifted his focus back to kickboxing, and an incredible opportunity quickly emerged. He is now set to face Rico Verhoeven, the dominant GLORY heavyweight champion, in what will be one of the biggest fights of his career.

Rico Verhoeven, known as the King of Kickboxing, has ruled the heavyweight division for nearly a decade. He has successfully defended his title multiple times against some of the best strikers in the world. Facing Verhoeven will be an enormous challenge for Vakhitov, who has mainly competed at light heavyweight throughout his career.

However, Vakhitov is no stranger to tough battles. His technical striking, defensive skills, and ability to control the pace of a fight have made him one of the most respected fighters in kickboxing history. His past victories over Alex Pereira prove that he has the ability to compete against elite-level strikers.

The Legacy of Artem Vakhitov in Kickboxing

Artem Vakhitov has been one of the most dominant figures in kickboxing for years. His technical precision, powerful counterattacks, and strong defensive skills have allowed him to compete against and defeat some of the best fighters in the sport.

His rivalry with Alex Pereira remains one of the most significant in modern kickboxing history. The two fighters split their series 1-1, with Vakhitov winning their last fight before Pereira left for MMA. Many fans were hoping for a trilogy fight in the UFC, but that will no longer happen now that Vakhitov has chosen to remain in kickboxing.

What This Means for the UFC and Kickboxing

The decision by Vakhitov to reject the UFC contract and stay in GLORY is significant for both MMA and kickboxing. It highlights some of the ongoing challenges fighters face when transitioning from one sport to another.

While the UFC is undoubtedly the biggest platform in combat sports, its contract structure is often criticized for being too rigid. Fighters who have already established themselves in other organizations sometimes struggle to get better deals, even when they bring a high level of skill and experience.

For kickboxing, this is a major win. Keeping Vakhitov in GLORY means that the sport still retains one of its most skilled and respected fighters. His upcoming fight with Rico Verhoeven will be one of the most highly anticipated matches in recent kickboxing history.

What’s Next for Artem Vakhitov?

Now that Vakhitov has committed to GLORY, the focus is entirely on his upcoming fight with Rico Verhoeven. If he can pull off an upset against the heavyweight king, it would be a monumental achievement and could open the door for even bigger opportunities in kickboxing.

If he loses, he may still have other high-profile fights available to him in GLORY or possibly even in other promotions like ONE Championship, which has been aggressively signing top strikers in recent years.

For now, fans will eagerly await his return to the ring, where he will attempt to take down one of the greatest champions in kickboxing history.

Conclusion

Artem Vakhitov’s decision to reject the UFC contract in favor of fighting Rico Verhoeven in GLORY was a bold move that reflects his priorities as a prizefighter. While many expected him to transition into MMA, he has chosen to stay in his domain, where he has already achieved legendary status.

His upcoming fight with Rico Verhoeven will be a defining moment in his career. Can he dethrone the heavyweight champion and cement his place as one of the greatest kickboxers of all time? The world will be watching.