Introduction
Alex Pereira, affectionately known as “Poatan” in the fight world, is one of the most remarkable names in mixed martial arts (MMA). Born in Brazil, he built a legendary career that began in the kickboxing ring and evolved into the octagon of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). With a unique blend of raw power, precision striking, and unshakable resilience, Pereira has become an icon for Brazilian fans and a formidable challenge for his opponents. His journey is marked by overcoming adversity, epic victories, and a national pride that inspires millions. In this article, we explore the life and career of this warrior, from his humble roots to his latest triumphs, focusing on his dedication to the sport he loves.
Early Life and First Steps
Origins in Bethelem, Minas Gerais
Alex Sandro da Silva Pereira was born on July 7, 1987, in the small town of Bethelem, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Growing up in a rural area was not easy. Pereira’s family faced financial hardships, and as the eldest of five siblings, he quickly learned the value of hard work. From a young age, he helped his parents in the fields, picking coffee and chopping wood to make ends meet. “I saw my mother crying over bills, and that motivated me to be strong,” he recalled in an interview years later.
At 12, Pereira was already working in a quarry, carrying heavy stones that shaped not only his body but also his mindset. Standing over 1.85 meters with a natural athletic build, he had the physique for sports, but they remained out of reach. Football was the local passion, but Pereira didn’t see himself there. His life changed at 17 when he discovered kickboxing. A friend invited him to a gym in Contagem, near Belo Horizonte, and that’s where it all began. “I hit the punching bag for the first time and felt like it was meant for me,” he remembered.
Personal Challenges and Overcoming Adversity
Before turning professional, Pereira battled personal demons. He admitted to struggling with alcoholism in his youth, a common issue in his community. “I drank to forget the pain, but it only made things worse,” he said. At 21, after a bar fight that nearly landed him in jail, he decided to change. He entered a rehabilitation program and channeled his energy into training. This phase of overcoming adversity is what many fans admire: a man who turned weaknesses into strengths.
With the support of his wife, Merle, whom he met during this time, Pereira dedicated himself fully to kickboxing. They married in 2010 and now have three children: Francesco, Thor, and Luana. His family is the cornerstone of his life, and he often says he fights for them. In Bethelem, Pereira maintains strong ties, visiting whenever possible and donating to local sports programs for underprivileged children.
Kickboxing Career: From Amateur to World Champion
Early Wins and National Rise
Kickboxing entered Pereira’s life as an escape but soon became a profession. In 2009, he debuted as an amateur and won his first regional tournament in Minas Gerais. His specialty? Devastating low kicks that felled opponents like chopped trees. With heavy hands honed from years of manual labor, he combined raw power with refined technique.
At 23, Pereira turned professional and signed with Russia’s Fair Fight organization. There, he racked up impressive wins, including knockouts against seasoned fighters. In 2012, he claimed the Glory Kickboxing middleweight title, the sport’s premier organization at the time. His 2017 final against Dutch fighter Artem Vakhitov is legendary: Pereira won by unanimous decision after five grueling rounds, becoming the middleweight champion.
International Titles and Records
Between 2017 and 2021, Pereira dominated Glory. He defended the middleweight belt four times and, in a historic feat, moved up to light heavyweight, winning another world title in 2021 against Yousri Belgaroui. This made him a two-division champion, a rare achievement in kickboxing. His record? 33 wins, 7 losses, 1 draw, with 21 knockouts—a finish rate over 60%.
A memorable fight was against Israel Adesanya at Glory 39 in 2016. Pereira knocked out the future UFC champion in the second round with a precise uppercut. Years later, their paths would cross again in MMA, adding more drama to their rivalry. Pereira trained at Chute Boxe Academy in Curitiba under Glover Teixeira, who encouraged him to transition to MMA. “Kickboxing gave me everything, but MMA is the future,” he said, retiring from kickboxing in 2021.
Transition to Mixed Martial Arts
Early MMA Steps and Initial Challenges
At 34, Pereira swapped the ring for the octagon. MMA demanded more than punches and kicks: grappling, takedowns, and jiu-jitsu were new territories. His first test came in 2018 at Shooto Brasil, where he won by first-round knockout. But the transition wasn’t easy. He lost to Thomas Diens in the UFC’s Contender Series in 2020, which made him doubt himself.
“I felt like a fish out of water on the ground,” he admitted. Glover Teixeira, then a UFC champion, brought him to American Top Team in Florida, where Pereira honed his grappling. In 2021, he returned stronger, winning two fights in Brave CF in Bahrain, including a technical knockout against a local prospect. These victories caught the UFC’s attention, and in November 2021, he signed with the organization.
UFC Debut and Rapid Adaptation
Pereira’s UFC debut came in March 2022 at UFC 272 against former champion Andreas Michailidis. He finished the fight with a brutal ground-and-pound in the first round, proving his striking remained lethal. Next came the rematch with Israel Adesanya at UFC 281 in New York. The world watched as Adesanya, undefeated in the middleweight division, faced the kickboxer who had knocked him out years earlier.
Pereira shocked the world, winning by knockout in the fifth round with a flurry of punches that dropped the Nigerian. At 35, he became the new UFC middleweight champion. “This is for Brazil, for my family,” he shouted through tears. His rise was meteoric: from rookie to champion in just two fights.
UFC Rise: From Middleweight to Light Heavyweight
Title Defenses and Epic Rivalries
As middleweight champion, Pereira defended his belt twice. First against Sean Strickland at UFC 276 in July 2022. Strickland’s sharp boxing posed a challenge, but Pereira won by unanimous decision in a tense fight he called “the toughest of my life.” Months later, he faced Adesanya again at UFC 287 in Miami. Adesanya reclaimed the title with a second-round knockout, but Pereira left with his head high.
Instead of staying at middleweight, where weight cuts were grueling, he moved up to light heavyweight in 2023. His divisional debut against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291 was a five-round war, which he won by split decision. In November 2023 at UFC 295, he claimed the vacant light heavyweight title by knocking out Jiri Prochazka in the second round with a precise left hand. Pereira became a two-division UFC champion, a feat only Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier had matched before.
Iconic Wins and Fighting Style
Pereira’s style is poetry in motion—or rather, in destruction. His low kicks swell opponents’ legs, while his right hands and hooks end fights. He has 10 UFC knockouts, a divisional record. Fights against Jamahal Hill (UFC 300, 2024, first-round knockout) and Prochazka (title defense at UFC 303, 2024) cemented his reign. But it wasn’t all easy: injuries and weight cuts tested him, and he prioritized his health.
Outside the octagon, Pereira is humble. He speaks little, letting his actions talk. In 2024, he visited Rio de Janeiro’s favelas, distributing fight gear to youth. “I was like them once. I want them to know big dreams are possible,” he said.
Achievements and Legacy in the Sport
Titles and Records
Across his career, Pereira has over 40 professional wins. In kickboxing, two Glory titles. In MMA, titles in Shooto, Brave CF, and UFC. He’s the only fighter to win world championships in both kickboxing and MMA in two weight classes. His 2022 knockout of Adesanya was named “Fight of the Year” by ESPN, and he won the UFC’s “Most Impressive Athlete” award in 2023.
Impact in Brazil and Beyond
Pereira represents Brazil with pride. After victories, he raises the green-and-yellow flag and shouts, “Brazil is standing tall!” He’s inspired a generation of fighters, like the Ferreira brothers and Gilbert Burns. Globally, he’s respected for his work ethic. Coaches like Eric Nicksick of Xtreme Couture call him “a war machine with a heart of gold.”
His legacy extends beyond wins. Pereira raises awareness about alcoholism, sharing his story in talks. In 2024, he launched a clothing line, “Poatan Power,” donating profits to NGOs in Minas Gerais.
Personal Life: Family, Faith, and Hobbies
Poatan’s Family Side
Away from the spotlight, Pereira is a devoted father. His children travel with him, and he teaches them discipline and respect. Merle, his wife, is his biggest supporter, managing his career while he trains. “She’s my rock,” he says. The family lives in Las Vegas but spends time in Brazil, where Pereira enjoys barbecues and pickup football with friends.
Faith and Daily Routine
A devout Catholic, Pereira prays before every fight and credits his victories to God. His routine includes intense training—sparring, weightlifting, and jiu-jitsu—but he carves out time for meditation and reading. A fan of Brazilian sertanejo music, he listens to Gusttavo Lima to unwind. In interviews, he’s reserved but always grateful. “I’m not a hero, just a guy fighting for what he loves.”
Recent Updates: The Epic Victory at UFC 320
The Loss and Rematch Preparation
2025 started rocky for Pereira. In March, at UFC 315, he lost the light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev, an undefeated Russian grappler, by unanimous decision after five rounds of ground dominance. It was his first title defense loss in the division, and the world mourned. “I made mistakes, but I learn from them,” he said post-fight.
A rematch was set for UFC 320 on September 30, 2025, in Las Vegas. Pereira trained relentlessly at American Top Team, focusing on takedown defense and counterstrikes. He cut weight carefully, avoiding past injuries. Behind the scenes, Ankalaev’s taunts about Pereira’s past alcoholism heated things up, but Pereira responded with class: “Words don’t hurt; fists do.”
The Night of Redemption: Champion Again
On September 30, the T-Mobile Arena erupted as Pereira entered the octagon. The fight was an epic battle. Ankalaev pushed his wrestling in the early rounds, taking Pereira down twice, but the Brazilian rallied. In the third round, a Pereira low kick swelled Ankalaev’s left leg, limiting his mobility. In the fourth, a flurry of punches in the clinch opened a cut on Ankalaev’s face.
The fifth round was the climax: Pereira landed a left hand that rocked his opponent, followed by an uppercut that dropped him. Ground-and-pound ended the fight at 3:45, with the referee stopping the action. “And new!” the announcer roared, and Brazil lit up social media. Pereira reclaimed the title, becoming a two-time light heavyweight champion at 38, proving age is just a number.
In the press conference, emotional, Pereira dedicated the win to his family and Brazil. “This is for Bethelem, for Minas Gerais. I came back stronger.” Analysts like Joe Rogan called it “one of the greatest rematches in history.” Dustin Poirier, a UFC legend, predicted the win, saying, “Poatan crushes anyone who doubts him.”
What’s Next?
With the title back, Pereira eyes defenses in 2026. Rumors of a superfight with Jon Jones swirl, but he stays focused on the present. Nursing a minor knee injury, he plans a month of rest before returning to training. Outside the sport, he’ll expand his gym in Contagem, mentoring new talent.
The UFC 320 victory isn’t just a trophy; it’s a chapter of resilience. Pereira, the quarry boy turned octagon king, continues to inspire. His motto? “Believe in your poatan”—a playful nod to his nickname, meaning “stone” in Tupi but also “power.”
In summary, Alex Pereira is more than a fighter: he’s a symbol of Brazilian perseverance. From Bethelem to the UFC’s pinnacle, his story reminds us that dreams are built with sweat and faith. With the belt gleaming, Poatan marches on, ready for new battles. Brazil is proud of you, champion!
