Artem Vakhitov Rejects UFC Contract, Plans GLORY Fight Against Rico Verhoeven

Artem Vakhitov, the former two-time GLORY light-heavyweight champion, has turned down a UFC contract following his victory on Dana White's Contender Series. Despite an impressive TKO win over Islem Masraf, Vakhitov and his team were dissatisfied with the standard contract offered by the UFC, which they felt did not reflect his value as a prizefighter. Vakhitov expressed respect for the UFC's structure but emphasized the need for a more favorable deal to support his family. Instead, he will return to GLORY Kickboxing to challenge heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven at GLORY 100 on June 14. The decision has sparked disappointment among fans who were eager for a trilogy bout against his rival Alex Pereira, whom he previously defeated. Vakhitov remains open to future MMA opportunities but prioritizes financial considerations in his career choices.