Two major reasons why Dana White’s UFC didn’t pay big bucks to Artem Vakhitov, the last kickboxer to defeat Alex Pereira

DWCS winner Artem Vakhitov says UFC is no longer endgame in the wake of contract dispute; trilogy with Alex Pereira will have to wait.

Two major reasons why Dana White’s UFC didn’t pay big bucks to Artem Vakhitov, the last kickboxer to defeat Alex Pereira

Artem Vakhitov, last kickboxer to defeat Alex Pereira, split from UFC (Source: IMAGO/X)

Artem Vakhitov had the combat spectrum’s attention when he captured a Contender Series contract last October. The MMA fandom awaited his first octagon outing under contract – in part due to his history with kickboxer Alex Pereira. However, Vakhitov and his team have disclosed not meeting contractual standards with UFC litigation for it.

Artem Vakhitov was the last man to defeat GLORY two-division champ and HOF name Alex Pereira in his old stomping grounds. ‘Poatan’ eeked past with a split decision at Glory 77; the rival won it back with a majority nod (48-46, 46-48, 47-47, 48-46, 49-45) at Glory 78. With the duo of kickboxers splitting their victories, the Russian fighter was hoping for a trilogy against the placid but all-offense fighter.

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A typical DWCS contractual clause puts a selected fighter on a 20-month, four-fight contractual phase. However, both Vakhitov and his manager, Andrey Busygin, state that after five or so months, they’ve parted with the UFC. Here is a brief look into why that happened and what could have prompted it.

2. No ‘Chama’, No reason

There is no splitting hairs about this; Alex Pereira was the it-factor behind this signing. Pereira’s rivalry with the other kickboxer, Israel Adesanya, promoted his UFC move and made him a brand value champ. ‘Poatan’ and ‘The Last Stylebender’ went 1-1 in MMA, and have ended the rivalry. So, Artem Vakhitov’s inclusion was to be the next big thing.

Pereira, despite his linear style, has birthed a side where kickboxers and their fight style can flourish. Pereira’s only seven fights to his ginormous title track in two divisions was something else. The Brazilian fighter made it big in the UFC fandom despite possessing no trash-talking skills.

Alex Pereira bleeding aura means bad business for kickboxer Artem Vakhitov
Alex Pereira bleeding aura means bad business for kickboxer Artem Vakhitov (Source: X)

A phenomenal 2024 saw Poatan earning the Fighter of the Year honors. He entered and quickly took his spot as the promotion’s #3 Pound-for-pound fighter with three title defense wins. Alex Pereira was the most marketable fighter of 2024, leaving the likes of Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria a step below him. Under three years, he also just recently made the cover for EA Sports™ UFC® 6 for PS5.

But all infamy came to an end where the 205-pound bona fide name lost to Magomed Ankalaev recently, in a one-sided standup game. It was a whole other thing when he was on a meteoric rise against Adesanya. The wild sensation that is Pereira does not have the momentum until he can start another reign.

Pereira vs. Vakhitov only makes sense in the UFC if it can be fought for the title like Adesanya vs. Pereira. At the age of 37, no one knows how long Poatan can compete at the highest level. Fighters made the mistake of not trying takedowns against Pereira. Will they make the same mistake against Vakhitov?

A lot of ifs and buts hinder on the potential Pereira vs. Vakhitov MMA bout. With Poatan no longer looking invincible at 205-pounds, it is no longer on the same level as Pereira vs. Adesanya. Hence, his aura dump means Vakhitov wouldn’t get big credit and fan-wows for initiating a rivalry.

1. Less money, Mo’ Problems…

Despite two high-tier names, kickboxing is just a little percentage in the UFC lineup. The brass recently signed five-time IBJJF world champion Mikey Musumeci for FIGHT PASS. There’s also a UFC FPI Jiu-Jitsu contract in progress. UFC would even fumble it with the gimmicky slapfighting while kickboxing investments remain a rarity.

Artem Vakhitov got a standard deal to join UFC
Artem Vakhitov got a standard deal to join UFC (Source: X)

The 33-year-old Vakhitov is a two-time GLORY light heavyweight champ. The Russian kickboxer made a pivot to MMA in 2023 but injured his shoulder in his debut at Open Fighting Championship 31. He then rallied off on three wins again. By all means, Artem Vakhitov was shaping up to be what Alex Pereira was to Adesanya: a proportionate rivalry.

With the same 3-1 pro record, Busygin and Team Vakhitov were expecting the same deal as Pereira back in the day. But back in 2022, when the Brazilian star (then going 34-35) fought with Adesanya, he was challenging a champion. Vakhitov has lost the momentum against a no-belt Pereira; hence, also part of his draw. If not a niche entity that can snag gold, then why at all?

In a written statement to SBNation Network, the Russian fighter said he thus received a standard DWCS package and terms. UFC head litigation and CBO Hunter Campbell, UFC matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard seemed reluctant in their position.

Vakhitov has no hard feelings. But, a father to daughters and considering himself a prizefighter, he wanted more out of this deal. Hence, an Alex Pereira vs. Vakhitov matchup would clearly not make the projected bank that it did in 2024.

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