35 Facts About Artem Vakhitov

Artem Vakhitov turned professional in 2009, and signed with Glory in 2013, where he would twice be crowned the Glory Light Heavyweight Champion.

Artem Vakhitov was born in Prokopyevsk on April 4,1991, and began basic martial arts training under his father's tutelage at the age of five years before going on to study karate at the age of six, which he practiced for five years.

Artem Vakhitov was forced to give up karate aged eleven when he and his family moved to another part of the city, but he soon found the Kuzbass Muay Thai gym where he is trained by Vitaly Miller and is a training partner of Artem Levin.

Artem Vakhitov holds the classification of Master of Sports in Muay Thai, and is a classically trained musician.

Artem Vakhitov first came to prominence when he won the IFMA Russian Championships in 2008 aged seventeen.

Artem Vakhitov then re-entered the tournament when Levin was unable to fight Alexander Stetsurenko in the final due to injury and Vakhitov was selected as his replacement.

Artem Vakhitov faced another familiar foe in his sophomore MPL appearance, taking on Jiri Zak at Muaythai Premier League: Blood and Steel in The Hague, Netherlands on November 6,2011.

Artem Vakhitov avenged his earlier loss to the Czech by winning via unanimous decision.

On December 2,2011, Artem Vakhitov won his first title as a professional, defeating Vando Cabral via TKO due to a cut caused by an elbow in round three at Battle of Champions 6 in Moscow, Russia to become the WMC European Super Light Heavyweight Champion.

Artem Vakhitov was set to replace Artem Levin in a fight with Joe Schilling for the WBC Muaythai Interim World Light Heavyweight Championship at Battle for the Belts in Bangkok, Thailand on June 9,2012.

Artem Vakhitov gave an impressive performance in his first fight under the Glory banner, scoring an early knockdown over Luis Tavares before finishing him with a liver shot just over a minute into the first round at Glory 9: New York in New York City, New York, US on June 22,2013.

Artem Vakhitov defeated fellow amateur standout Nenad Pagonis by unanimous decision at Glory 12: New York in New York City on November 23,2013.

Artem Vakhitov defeated Igor Jurkovic via UD at Glory 16: Denver in Broomfield, Colorado, US on May 3,2014.

Artem Vakhitov rematched Dzianis Hancharonak at Monte Carlo Fighting Masters 2014 in Monte Carlo, Monaco on June 14,2014, winning by unanimous decision and taking the vacant WMC World Heavyweight Championship.

Artem Vakhitov was expected to fight against Andrei Stoica at Glory 20: Dubai on April 3,2014.

Artem Vakhitov returned at Glory 25: Milan against Danyo Ilunga and won the fight by unanimous decision and won the opportunity to re-match Saulo Cavalari for the Glory Light Heavyweight championship.

Artem Vakhitov successfully re-matched and defeated Saulo Cavalari by unanimous decision at Glory 28: Paris and won the Glory Light Heavyweight championship.

Artem Vakhitov successfully defended his championship and stopped Mwekassa by knocking him down three times; declaring Artem Vakhitov the winner by TKO.

Artem Vakhitov fought and successfully defended his Light Heavyweight championship against Brazilian contender, Ariel Machado at Glory 47: Lyon.

Artem Vakhitov knocked Machado down in the second round with a head kick, but after beating the 10 count, Artem Vakhitov continued to beat Machado and won the fight by unanimous decision.

Artem Vakhitov was scheduled to defend his title, for the fifth time, against Donegi Abena at Glory 66.

Artem Vakhitov won the fight by split decision, although it was considered controversial by some fans.

Artem Vakhitov is expected to defend against the interim Glory Light Heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, after he recovers from the surgery.

Artem Vakhitov attempted to make his sixth title defense against the then GLORY Middleweight and interim Light Heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at Glory 77.

Artem Vakhitov successfully regained the title with a majority decision victory.

Artem Vakhitov was rescheduled to face Tarik Khbabez in a non-title bout at the same event, after Tavares refused to face him due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

On November 17,2022, it was announced that Artem Vakhitov had signed with Muaythai Factory.

Artem Vakhitov made his promotional debut against Pascal Toure on February 2,2023.

In March 2025, it was reported that Artem Vakhitov would compete for the Glory Heavyweight Championship against current champion Rico Verhoeven at Glory 100 on June 14,2025.

Artem Vakhitov made his mixed martial arts debut on June 11,2023, at Open FC 31 against Ashraf Bashandy.

Artem Vakhitov lost the fight by a first-round technical knockout, as he dislocated his elbow 55 seconds into the bout.

Artem Vakhitov faced Siyavush Salokhov on January 27,2024 at WEF 130.

Artem Vakhitov won the bout via technical knockout in the second round.

Artem Vakhitov won the fight via technical knockout in round one and secured a contract with Ultimate Fighting Championship after his rival Alex Pereira had recommended him.

On March 25,2025, it was reported that Artem Vakhitov declined the UFC's contract offer and had decided to return to kickboxing and Glory.