Artem Vakhitov: A Return to Glory Kickboxing
Artem Vakhitov, a two-time GLORY Kickboxing champion, is making his way back to the kickboxing world after a brief stint in MMA. The Russian fighter had set his sights on a multi-sport trilogy bout against former kickboxing rival Alex Pereira but ultimately failed to reach an agreement with the UFC. As a result, Vakhitov is now gearing up to challenge heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven at GLORY 100 on June 14.
In an interview with Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Vakhitov expressed his excitement about the upcoming fight against Verhoeven, stating that it’s a matchup he’s been looking forward to for years. Despite the setback with the UFC, Vakhitov remains open to the possibility of returning to MMA in the future.
Vakhitov’s decision to turn down the UFC contract was primarily due to financial reasons, as he felt the offer did not justify the potential loss of earnings. However, he maintains a positive outlook on his career and is focused on his upcoming fight against Verhoeven.
In a recent kickboxing match, Vakhitov defeated Pascal Touré after a two-year hiatus from the sport. His upcoming bout with Verhoeven coincides with GLORY’s “Last Man Standing” heavyweight tournament, adding an extra layer of excitement to the matchup.
While Vakhitov may be at a size disadvantage against Verhoeven, he is confident in his abilities and believes that his experience sparring with larger opponents has prepared him for the challenge. With a strong team behind him, Vakhitov is ready to put on a show for fans and prove himself in the ring.
The stage is set for an epic showdown between Vakhitov and Verhoeven at GLORY 100, and fans can expect nothing short of an electrifying performance from these two seasoned fighters. Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated matchup.