Former Alex Pereira Rival Explains Turning Down UFC Contract Despite DWCS Win

Incomes a spot within the UFC by means of Dana White’s Contender Sequence (DWCS) is a dream for a lot of fighters, however one contract winner not too long ago made the stunning determination to stroll away from it.

Former GLORY gentle heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov punched his ticket to the UFC in October with a statement-making knockout victory over Islem Masraf throughout Season 8, Week 9 of DWCS.

Vakhitov’s arrival within the UFC was extremely anticipated, as he holds the excellence of being the final man to defeat former two-division titleholder Alex Pereira in a kickboxing contest again in September 2021 — simply earlier than “Poatan” made his full-time transition to MMA.

Nevertheless, on Tuesday, the 33-year-old Russian introduced on The Ariel Helwani Present that he had determined to forgo the chance to signal with the UFC and can as a substitute face reigning GLORY heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven in the primary occasion of GLORY 100 on June 14.

“Sadly, we couldn’t attain an settlement with UFC,” Vakhitov stated by means of a translator. “As a result of they’ve their very own protocol, however we nonetheless have good relations with them, in order that’s it. Now we’re saying a giant struggle towards Rico Verhoeven. I feel Rico doesn’t have to be [explained as an opponent] as a result of he’s well-known and, for certain, we wished this struggle a very long time in the past. For me, it’s a great alternative to turn into a double champion, and it was in my thoughts a really very long time in the past.”

Vakhitov additional weighed in on his determination, revealing that his alternative to say no a possible UFC run was largely influenced by dissatisfaction with the promotion’s monetary construction and strict contractual obligations.

“UFC at all times works off a normal contract after Dana White’s Contender Sequence. Sadly, we couldn’t attain an settlement, or [there were] some issues couldn’t agree [on]. After we bought a suggestion [from GLORY] and we noticed the information that every one the Russian fighters are coming again to GLORY, we bought a suggestion to struggle towards Rico and possibly the likelihood to turn into a double champion, we agreed very simply. And for certain, for good cash, why not?”

Reviews counsel that a normal DWCS contract features a clause granting the UFC the facility to lock a selected fighter right into a 20-month dedication spanning 4 bouts.

Vakhitov’s most up-to-date kickboxing bout happened underneath the Muaythai Manufacturing facility banner in February 2022, the place he secured a unanimous determination victory over Pascal Touré.

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