Artem Vakhitov aims for a spot on the UFC roster while criticizing Alex Pereira’s striking abilities.
The UFC light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, was the center of attention as the lights went down and the audience let out a thunderous shout across the arena. His reputation as one of the most formidable strikers in mixed martial arts (MMA) was cemented by his overpowering performance at UFC 307, which continued the legacy he had built during his time as the GLORY kickboxing two-weight world champion. However, not everyone finds Pereira’s cutting left hook to be impressive.
Only Artem Vakhitov, Pereira’s former opponent in kickboxing, appears unfazed by his rise to prominence. Vakhitov, a distinguished kickboxer in his own right, defeated Pereira by a slim majority decision in 2021; this victory continues to spark discussions among fight enthusiasts. Although Pereira has rendered opponents unconscious in the octagon with his knockout power, especially with his trademark left hook, Vakhitov thinks Pereira’s success is, to put it plainly, one-dimensional.
Vakhitov Casts Doubt on Pereira’s Flexibility
Vakhitov voiced his thoughts about Pereira’s striking candidly in a recent interview with Submission Radio. “I don’t think he’s the best striker,” Vakhitov asserted with assurance. It takes more than one strong blow to become a great striker. A true striker is someone who can adjust to any circumstance and has a wide range of combinations.” The Russian striker made it very evident that a single, potent blow, no matter how successful, does not constitute an excellent striker.
Vakhitov claims that even if Pereira’s left hook is extremely effective, it is just one weapon in a huge array of other hitting techniques. “It’s not enough that he only learned how to throw that one perfect punch. A true striker needs to be able to control distance, use a number of combinations, and employ various tactics. That’s something he lacks.
Vakhitov’s personal attempt to sign a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series preceded this biting criticism. Vakhitov has a 2-1 MMA record, but his impressive first-round finishes indicate he is quickly adjusting. His legendary kickboxing background has eclipsed his entry into the mixed martial arts arena. He takes on Islem Masraf this week in a match that might define the Russian fighter’s career.
Having Another Go: Vakhitov’s MMA Career
Although Vakhitov has demonstrated his ability to end fights quickly in mixed martial arts, there have been difficulties along the way. He was forced to miss his MMA debut due to an injury, which was a difficult blow for someone making the switch from the kickboxing ring to the MMA cage. With two wins in a row, though, Vakhitov is ready to silence his skeptics and establish himself as one of the game’s greatest players.
If Vakhitov were to secure a deal with the UFC, he would be free to pursue his own MMA career, independent of Pereira’s influence. However, his prior bout with Pereira will always be remembered, particularly when evaluating each fighter’s legacy. Even though Pereira has made a name for himself as a top-tier UFC champion, Vakhitov is adamant that striking is about more than just landing a strong left hook.
Which Striker Dose Vakhitov Think Is the Best in MMA?
It’s interesting to note that Vakhitov immediately mentioned Max Holloway when asked which fighter right now, in his opinion, epitomizes the real meaning of top striking. Vakhitov saw Holloway as a more complete striker than Pereira because of his slick combinations, relentless tempo, and versatility within the octagon.
With a hint of reverence in his voice, Vakhitov said, “I like Max Holloway’s style.” However, I’m not sure who the best candidate is at this time. I simply think he has the best fighting style and might be the greatest.”
Max Holloway has always been recognized for his explosive striking; he will be the main attraction at UFC 308 later this month. Holloway stands out from Pereira because of his superior footwork and ability to barrage opponents with punches. Pereira is more stationary and power-focused.
The Collision of Differing Theories
The stark differences between Holloway and Pereira’s styles emphasize the divergent approaches to mixed martial arts striking. Pereira is a skilled marksman with a left hook that can quickly terminate battles. He is one of the weapons on the team. Conversely, Holloway is a master of pressure, volume, and ingenuity within the cage. For Vakhitov, Holloway and Pereira represent the full striker he wants to be in mixed martial arts, and Pereira’s dependence on a single weapon is restrictive.
For enthusiasts, the ongoing discussion over striking proficiency adds yet another level of fascination to the dynamic realm of mixed martial arts. While fighters like Pereira are pushing the boundaries of power and accuracy, Vakhitov and Holloway want to highlight the beauty of flexibility, adaptation, and fluidity in striking.
Next Up for Vakhitov?
Artem Vakhitov is focused on establishing himself as one of the greatest in the sport as much as securing a position on the UFC roster as he gets ready to take on Islem Masraf. Fans have already shown admiration for his ability to switch from kickboxing to mixed martial arts, but landing a UFC contract would be the next move in his career. It’s unclear if Vakhitov will ever reach Pereira’s caliber in mixed martial arts, but one thing is for sure: he won’t give up until he is acknowledged as one of the best strikers in the business, on his own terms.
