Artem Vakhitov has taken aim at Rico Verhoeven.
Later tonight, the two legendary kickboxers will go to war at Glory 100, inside the Rotterdam Ahoy in the Netherlands.
The reigning heavyweight champion has made many a crazy memory throughout his incredible journey to becoming the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. Verhoeven once had a crazy interaction with Jason Statham.
However, while he’s carved out a remarkable legacy, in the eyes of his upcoming opponent, it doesn’t match up to some of the greats that have come before him.
WOW: How Jean-Claude Van Damme helped Rico Verhoeven find his passion outside of kickboxing
Artem Vakhitov says Rico Verhoeven is not one of the greatest of all time
Artem Vakhitov rates Rico Verhoeven extremely highly.
However, despite this, he doesn’t believe the Dutchman is one of the top three to have ever graced the sport.
In an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow, the striker asserted: “He is a good sportsman, and he proved it not only once, but unfortunately, I don’t have Verhoeven in my top three list in the world history of kickboxing.
“I was following him for so many years, I watched his fights to understand how he is. We will do everything for the win.”
Artem Vakhitov wants trilogy fight with Alex Pereira in MMA
While a victory over Verhoeven would be massive for Vakhitov, it wouldn’t be the first time he’d have defeated a legend.
The gifted fighter has a win on his resume against Alex Pereira.
Currently, the pair are tied, with each having beaten the other on one occasion.
Now, Vakhitov wants to settle his rivalry with Pereira in MMA.