Artem Vakhitov has put the wheels in motion for a UFC showdown with Alex Pereira.

The Russian scored a first-round TKO victory over Islem Masraf in the featured fight on the ninth episode of Dana White‘s Contender Series (DWCS) — in front of a cageside ‘Poatan’.

Vakhitov is now 3-1 as an MMA fighter after transitioning from kickboxing last yearGetty

The UFC light heavyweight champion boarded a plane from Connecticut to Las Vegas to witness Vakhitov’s brutal TKO stoppage, which came at 4:23 of Round 1, in person.

The pair go way back, having already met twice in Glory.

Vakhitov went 1-1 against the reigning UFC 205lbs champion during their kickboxing days. He is the last man to beat the Brazilian in kickboxing before Pereira left the sport to sign with the UFC.

Pereira won their first fight by split decision and Vakhitov won the second by majority decision.

The 33-year-old Vakhitov was one of four winners who earned UFC contracts with their performance on DWCS.

However, the 3-1 MMA fighter was hardly a shoo-in to land a UFC contract.

After his first-round knockout, UFC President Dana White revealed it was only after a conversation with Pereira that he was convinced to sign the Russian to his promotion.

“That’s why I’m so late. I’ve been back there talking to Alex this whole time,” White said.

“‘He [Pereira] said, ‘Obviously, a little more clinching than you would expect.’ You would expect the other guy to clinch with him, not him clinching.

The Russian scored a first-round TKO victory over Islem Masraf in DWCSGetty

Pereira went 1-1 with the Russian in kickboxing and was watching hist most recent bout cagesideX@ChampRDS

“But he said, ‘This is what I think. I think he’s talented enough. I think he deserves to be here. He’s had, obviously, a ton of fights in his career.’

“Which is what I thought too going in.”

White also said that Pereira was full of praise for his Contender Series.

“He [Pereira] said, “I think that the Contender Series, no matter where you’ve fought or what you’ve done, puts a different type of pressure on you and you might not perform the way you normally would.’

“He said, ‘This is a tremendous amount of pressure.’

“He said, ‘All I know is I’m glad I never had to go through the Contender Series.’”

White was convinced to hand Vakhitov a UFC contract after speaking with PereiraX@ChampRDS

Former kickboxer Vakhitov only transitioned to MMA in June 2023. He has had four MMA fights since then, finishing his opponents in all three victories.

His only defeat came in his first bout when he suffered an injury and was forced to retire.

The two-time Glory light heavyweight champion still has a lot to work do, but he’s never been stopped in his entire career as a combat sports athlete.

He’s also one of the rare people to hold a win over Pereira. That alone will fuel the clamour for a trilogy bout between the pair, something Vakhitov says he’s down for.

Pereira defended his light heavyweight title for the fourth timeGetty

‘Poatan’ is coming off the back of an impressive victory at UFC 307.

The 37-year-old successfully defended his light heavyweight title for the fourth successive time after stopping Khlalil Rountree Jr in the fourth round.

Vakhitov watched the bout and had this to say about Pereira’s striking skills: “I don’t think he’s the best striker because to have just one good punch, it doesn’t mean he’s really good striker.

“The real striker is someone who has combinations, very different opportunities. He’s just taught well, one punch.”

Vakhitov will slowly have to make his way up the UFC rankings if he’s to face Pereira in the famous octagon.

Pereira, meanwhile, may have his sights set on a move up to heavyweight and a clash with interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.