Dana White explains how Alex Pereira convinced him to sign Artem Vakhitov to UFC, says 'Poatan' admits to "tremendous pressure" of DWCS

During the latest DWCS post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White claimed that Alex Pereira convinced him to sign Artem Vakhitov. As per White, 'Poatan' also confessed to being relieved that he never had to go through the DWCS veting process.

As it stands, the UFC light heavyweight champion spoke highly of Vakhitov's skills as a fighter, despite reportedly expressing shock over the Russian's clinching in his DWCS win over Islem Masraf. When asked by a reporter if Pereira had indeed convinced him to sign Vakhitov, White did not mince his words.

The segment during which he spoke on signing Vakhitov was shared on an MMA Junkie video on YouTube, with the UFC's official livestream of the press conference featuring audio issues during the aforementioned segment.

"That's why I'm so late. I've been back there talking to Alex this whole time. He said, 'Obviously, a little more clinching than you would expect.' You would expect the other guy to clinch with him, not him clinching. 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."

It was then that White spoke on Pereira's healthy respect for Dana White's Contender Series as a promotion.

"He 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.'"

Check out Dana White revealing Alex Pereira's thoughts on Artem Vakhitov (0:32):

Now, Vakhitov is aiming to face Pereira for UFC gold at some point, especially given their kickboxing rivalry.

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Artem Vakhitov is not as impressed with Alex Pereira

Despite the fact that Artem Vakhitov and Alex Pereira have faced each other twice in competitive kickboxing bouts, the Russian has a low opinion of 'Poatan's' striking skills. In fact, he said as much in a Submission Radio interview following UFC 307.

"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."

Check out Artem Vakhitov's dismissal of Alex Pereira's skills (1:43):

The one punch Vakhitov is referring to is Pereira's left hook, which he believes is the latter's only good weapon.