Following an exciting weekend of kickboxing, fans are anticipating the return of a top light heavyweight to the GLORY promotion. Former champion Artem Vakhitov is scheduled to make his comeback, stepping up to the heavyweight division where he will face the current reigning champion Rico Verhoeven at GLORY 100 on June 14.
Vakhitov confirmed his decision to decline the UFC contract he was offered after his TKO victory over Islem Masraf last October on Dana White`s Contender Series. Instead, he has chosen to return to kickboxing, the sport in which he established his reputation, taking on the significant challenge of facing Verhoeven in his heavyweight debut.
In June 2022, four months after Russia`s invasion of Ukraine began, GLORY removed all Russian fighters from its roster, citing logistical challenges. This decision led prominent fighters such as Vakhitov, Dmitry Menshikov, and Aleksei Ulianov to seek opportunities elsewhere. With the ban now lifted, Russian fighters are permitted to compete in the promotion once more.
UFC leadership potentially saw him as a future rival for two-sport champion Alex Pereira, given their previous victories against each other. However, Vakhitov has opted to return to kickboxing, describing it as his true passion. Contrary to expectations that he might attempt to reclaim his light heavyweight title, he is instead taking on the biggest possible test for his comeback fight.
Ellis Thorne