Former boxing titleholder Artyom Vakhytov embarks on a new challenge in mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions for the first time.
Artem Vakhitov, a 32-year-old Russian kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter, is set to make his MMA debut at Open FC 31 on June 11. The event will feature a highly anticipated match between Vakhitov and Egyptian Ashraf Bashaandi.
Vakhitov's career in kickboxing has been impressive, having been the light heavyweight champion in Glory kickboxing from 2016. His last fight under Glory was in September 2021, where he won a unanimous decision against Brazilian Alex Pereira. In February 2022, he won a unanimous decision against French fighter Pascal Touré at the Muaythai Factory event in Kemerovo.
However, Vakhitov's journey took a turn when Glory fired all Russian fighters due to sanctions in June 2022. Following his release, Vakhitov was signed by ONE Championship.
On the other side of the ring, Ashraf Bashaandi, Vakhitov's future opponent, is an experienced professional grappler. Although he has yet to compete at a professional level in MMA, his record in amateur MMA events suggests a competitive match against Vakhitov. Bashaandi has a record of 4 wins and 1 loss in these events. His grappling experience is expected to be a significant factor in the match.
Bashaandi's professional MMA debut will also mark his first match against Vakhitov. The Egyptian grappler's MMA experience may provide a challenge for Vakhitov, who is making his MMA debut.
Vakhitov's manager, Andrei Busygin, has begun negotiations with UFC, PFL, and ONE FC about a possible contract for Vakhitov, indicating a potential future in MMA for the Russian fighter.
As Open FC 31 approaches, fans are eagerly waiting to see how Vakhitov will fare in his MMA debut against the experienced grappler, Ashraf Bashaandi.
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