Kickboxing star Artem Vakhitov is making his return.
After a successful recent weekend of kickboxing events, attention now turns to the highly anticipated return of former GLORY light heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov. Vakhitov is set to move up to the heavyweight division for his comeback fight, directly challenging the current division king, Rico Verhoeven, at GLORY 100 which is scheduled for June 14th.
It was initially reported on The Ariel Helwani Show that Vakhitov declined a UFC contract he earned following a TKO victory over Islem Masraf on Dana White`s Contender Series last October. Instead of pursuing a career in MMA, he has chosen to return to kickboxing, the sport where he built his reputation. This return involves a significant challenge, facing the formidable Rico Verhoeven in his heavyweight debut.
In June 2022, approximately four months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, GLORY had suspended all Russian fighters from competing, citing logistical challenges. This ban impacted prominent fighters like Vakhitov, Dmitry Menshikov, and Aleksei Ulianov, forcing them to seek opportunities elsewhere during the suspension period. With the ban now officially lifted, Russian athletes are once again permitted to compete under the promotion`s banner.
While UFC leadership may have potentially seen him as a future opponent for two-sport champion Alex Pereira (with whom Vakhitov holds a 1-1 record in kickboxing), Vakhitov stated that he is returning to kickboxing, describing it as his “love”. Many observers might have expected him to attempt to reclaim his light heavyweight title, but he is instead undertaking the ultimate challenge by stepping up to face the heavyweight champion in his very first fight back with the promotion.
Murray Blackwood 
Gareth Pendleton