Artem Vakhitov, who dazzled fans in October by winning a UFC contract through Dana White's Contender Series, finds himself at a crossroads five months later—his debut in the octagon still unrealized. During his fight, which he won decisively, Vakhitov's rivalry with kickboxing champ Alex Pereira added fuel to the fire, igniting discussions of a potential trilogy bout in the future.

However, tensions arose when contract negotiations with the UFC fell short. Vakhitov (3-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) and his team expressed disappointment over the lack of satisfactory terms from the promotion. "I was thrilled to receive the contract after my fight," Vakhitov shared through a translator. "Alex was there, and we discussed the possibilities that could arise from my joining the UFC. Unfortunately, when it came to the contract negotiations, we realized the UFC has a stringent policy for fighters entering through DWCS."

Sources reveal that contracts from Dana White's Contender Series typically come with a clause that ensures a standard set of terms which fighters must accept. Despite this, Vakhitov and his manager Andrey Busygin decided to part ways with the UFC, citing unmet expectations for a more lucrative deal akin to what Pereira had previously received.

"I understand the UFC has its guidelines, but I'm a fighter who has financial responsibilities; I can't overlook earnings potential," Vakhitov explained. "This was a dream opportunity, but ultimately we had to decline." He also reassured fans that while the timing may not be right, the door is open for future discussions with the UFC.

At 33 years old, Vakhitov is an accomplished two-time GLORY light heavyweight champion, boasting an impressive record of 23-6 in kickboxing. His journey to MMA has not been without its hurdles; he sustained a shoulder injury during his debut, but rapidly rebounded to earn three consecutive victories, including a knockout win in his DWCS appearance.

Looking ahead, Vakhitov has his sights set on an exciting match against kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven at GLORY 100, taking place on June 14 in the Netherlands. "This fight has been on my radar since 2017. Rico has been the king of this division for a long time. I believe I’m the best pound-for-pound kickboxer in GLORY, and I'm ready to prove it. Perhaps the king is finally ready to face the tsar," he declared confidently.

As fans and pundits speculate about Vakhitov’s future, the possibility of facing Pereira still lingers, but for now, all eyes will be on the upcoming showdown with Verhoeven—a fight that promises to be a highlight in the kickboxing calendar.