Morning Report | Ciryl Gane enlists help of Alex Pereira’s kickboxing rival for UFC White House, Poatan responds

Ciryl Gane has brought in high-level help as he prepares for his interim UFC heavyweight title fight against Alex Pereira at UFC White House on Sunday, June 14. Gane enlisted Artem Vakhitov, who fought Pereira twice in professional kickboxing for the Glory light heavyweight title, to serve as a sparring partner and strategist. Vakhitov lost their first bout via split decision before winning a majority decision in the rematch—the final fight of Pereira's kickboxing career.

Vakhitov believes he has identified a clear path to victory. Speaking on UFC Countdown, he emphasized that Pereira's dangerous striking—honed through years of elite kickboxing—comes with defensive vulnerabilities that can be exploited through aggressive pressure and forward movement. "What makes Alex Pereira dangerous is his stone hands," Vakhitov explained. "His weakness is his openness. He has a very strong attack, but his defense suffers." Vakhitov pointed to losses Pereira suffered to other elite kickboxers, including Israel Adesanya, as proof that the blueprint works. He also noted that Pereira moving up to heavyweight—where Gane is naturally comfortable—could disadvantage the former two-division champion.

Pereira, however, brushed aside concerns about Vakhitov's involvement. The ex-middleweight and light heavyweight titleholder stressed that kickboxing and MMA are fundamentally different sports, and that he has evolved significantly since his kickboxing days five years ago. "I'm not the same fighter I was when I fought Vakhitov," Pereira said. "I've evolved a lot." He suggested that while Vakhitov might offer tactical insights, the outcome will ultimately depend on what happens inside the octagon between Pereira and Gane—not on advice from the sidelines.

The interim heavyweight title bout serves as the co-main event to UFC White House, which is headlined by a lightweight title unification clash between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.