Alex Pereira on former kickboxing rival helping Ciryl Gane: ‘It doesn’t make a difference’

Ciryl Gane has enlisted Artem Vakhitov, the last opponent to defeat Alex Pereira in kickboxing, to prepare for their interim heavyweight title matchup at UFC Freedom 250. The Ciryl Gane vs Alex Pereira co-main event at UFC Freedom 250 is scheduled for Sunday, June 14, in Washington, D.C. Vakhitov, a two-time Glory Kickboxing light heavyweight champion now 3-1 in MMA with a 2024 Contender Series win, outpointed Pereira by majority decision at Glory 78. Pereira downplayed the hire, citing differences between kickboxing and MMA and saying he has evolved since 2021. The card is slated to be followed by a lightweight title unification between champion Ilia Topuria and interim titleholder Justin Gaethje.