Alex Pereira and Artem Vakhitov may be fierce rivals when it comes to combat sports, but there’s nothing but respect between them outside the ring. On Tuesday night, Vakhitov scored a first-round knockout on Contender Series but UFC CEO Dana White was on the fence about whether or not to sign him to a contract.

In a surprising twist, UFC champ Alex Pereira showed up to Dana White’s Contender Series and convinced White to sign rival Artem Vakhitov.

Israel Adesanya made a shrewd prediction during Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree Jr, accurately calling the end of the UFC 307 main event. Adesanya knows Pereira well, having fought the Brazilian four times across kickboxing and MMA – losing to Pereira via decision and knockout in their old sport, before trading KO wins with Pereira in the UFC.

The last man to defeat Alex Pereira in kickboxing is now following him to the UFC. Artem Vakhitov earned a UFC contract thanks to a co-signing from Alex Pereira.

After Alex Pereira defeated Khalil Rountree in their Light Heavyweight Championship title fight, the words of Israel Adesanya looked all the more prophetic.