Who Is Alex Pereira?

Born on July 7, 1987, in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, Alex Pereira overcame a difficult upbringing before becoming a world champion in both kickboxing and mixed martial arts.

Nicknamed “Poatan,” which means “Stone Hands” in the indigenous Pataxó language, Pereira first gained international fame in Glory Kickboxing. He captured championships in multiple weight divisions before transitioning to MMA and eventually joining the UFC.

His ability to finish opponents with a single strike quickly made him one of the promotion’s most exciting fighters.

Quick Facts

Pereira stands 6-foot-4 and has consistently used his height and reach advantages to dominate opponents.

Alex Pereira Statement After UFC Loss

One of the biggest MMA stories of 2026 came when Alex Pereira moved to heavyweight to face Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship.

The fight ended in dramatic fashion when Gane scored a second-round TKO victory. However, Pereira strongly disputed the circumstances surrounding the finish.

What Did Pereira Say?

In his first public statement after the loss, Pereira criticized referee Herb Dean for allegedly failing to stop what he believed were illegal strikes to the back of his head. He argued that those strikes contributed significantly to the stoppage and prevented him from recovering.

Pereira later shared photos showing injuries to the back of his head and called for greater accountability from officials. He also expressed interest in an immediate rematch against Ciryl Gane.

Despite the disappointment, Pereira thanked fans for their support and promised to return stronger in the future.

Alex Pereira UFC Record

Alex Pereira’s MMA record currently stands at:

13 Wins – 4 Losses

Wins by Method

• KO/TKO: 11
• Submission: 0
• Decision: 2

Losses by Method

• KO/TKO: 2
• Submission: 1
• Decision: 1

Pereira’s finishing rate remains among the highest in UFC competition, with approximately 85% of his victories coming by knockout or technical knockout.

Alex Pereira’s Most Notable UFC Victories

Israel Adesanya

Pereira’s rivalry with Israel Adesanya is among the most famous in combat sports.

After defeating Adesanya multiple times in kickboxing, Pereira eventually captured the UFC Middleweight Championship by stopping him at UFC 281.

Jiří Procházka

Pereira moved to light heavyweight and defeated Jiří Procházka to win the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. He later defended the title successfully in a rematch.

Jamahal Hill

At UFC 300, Pereira delivered one of the year’s most memorable knockouts by stopping Jamahal Hill in the first round.

Khalil Rountree Jr.

Pereira showcased his toughness and championship mentality by defeating Khalil Rountree Jr. via fourth-round TKO.

Magomed Ankalaev

After losing the light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev in March 2025, Pereira reclaimed the championship in a rematch later that year with a first-round TKO victory.

Alex Pereira Height and Physical Attributes

One reason Pereira has been so successful across multiple divisions is his exceptional physical frame.

Height

Alex Pereira stands:

6 feet 4 inches (193 cm)

Reach

• Reach: 79 inches

Weight

During his move to heavyweight, Pereira reportedly competed around 242 pounds and reached as high as 258 pounds during training.

His combination of size, power, and technical striking makes him one of the most dangerous fighters regardless of weight class.

Is Alex Pereira Married?

One of the most searched topics about Pereira concerns his personal life.

Wife and Relationships

Alex Pereira generally keeps his private life away from the spotlight. While he has been linked to relationships over the years, there is no widely confirmed public information indicating that he currently has a wife.

Pereira prefers focusing media attention on his fighting career rather than discussing his personal relationships.

Family

Family remains extremely important to him.

His sister, Aline Pereira, is also a successful combat sports athlete and has competed professionally in kickboxing, MMA, and Karate Combat.

Pereira often credits his family and teammates for helping him overcome challenges throughout his career.

Alex Pereira’s Kickboxing Legacy

Before UFC success, Pereira built a legendary kickboxing career.

Achievements include:

• Glory Middleweight Champion
• Glory Light Heavyweight Champion
• Two-division Glory champion
• Multiple victories over elite kickboxers
• Wins against Israel Adesanya in kickboxing

Many analysts consider Pereira among the greatest kickboxers ever to transition successfully into MMA.

Alex Pereira’s Journey Through UFC Weight Classes

Middleweight Champion

Pereira shocked the MMA world by winning the UFC Middleweight Championship.

Light Heavyweight Champion

He later moved up and captured the Light Heavyweight title, becoming a two-division UFC champion.

Heavyweight Ambitions

In 2026, Pereira pursued UFC history by attempting to become the promotion’s first three-division champion when he faced Ciryl Gane at heavyweight. Although unsuccessful, the move further enhanced his reputation as one of the sport’s most ambitious fighters.

What Is Alex Pereira’s Next Fight?

Following the loss to Ciryl Gane, speculation immediately turned toward Pereira’s next fight.

Potential Rematch With Ciryl Gane

Pereira has publicly called for an immediate rematch, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the stoppage warrant another fight.

Return to Light Heavyweight

Another possibility is a return to light heavyweight, where Pereira remains one of the biggest names in the division.

Heavyweight Contender Bout

The UFC could also choose to keep Pereira at heavyweight and match him against another top contender.

Timeline

As of June 2026, no official next fight has been announced, though Pereira has made it clear that he intends to continue competing at the highest level.

Why Fans Love Alex Pereira

Several factors explain Pereira’s popularity:

Knockout Power

Few fighters possess Pereira’s one-punch finishing ability.

Exciting Fighting Style

Fans know that every Pereira fight has the potential to end dramatically.

Inspirational Story

His journey from poverty and personal struggles to becoming a global superstar resonates with many people.

Warrior Mentality

Whether winning or losing, Pereira consistently seeks the toughest challenges available.

Alex Pereira Career Achievements

Some of Pereira’s greatest accomplishments include:

• UFC Middleweight Champion
• UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
• Multiple UFC title defenses
• Glory Middleweight Champion
• Glory Light Heavyweight Champion
• Two-division Glory champion
• Victories over several UFC champions
• One of the highest knockout percentages in UFC history

These achievements have secured his place among the elite fighters of his generation.

Legacy and Future Outlook

Despite suffering setbacks throughout his career, Alex Pereira continues to redefine what is possible in combat sports.

His willingness to move between weight classes, pursue historic accomplishments, and face elite competition has earned widespread respect.

Even after the controversial loss to Ciryl Gane, Pereira remains one of the UFC’s biggest attractions and a legitimate championship contender.

Whether he secures a rematch, returns to light heavyweight, or continues his heavyweight journey, fans can expect “Poatan” to remain a major force in MMA for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Alex Pereira’s UFC record?

Alex Pereira’s professional MMA record is 13 wins and 4 losses, with 11 victories coming by knockout or TKO.

How tall is Alex Pereira?

Alex Pereira is 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) tall.

What did Alex Pereira say after losing to Ciryl Gane?

Pereira criticized referee Herb Dean for allegedly missing illegal strikes to the back of his head and called for a rematch.

Does Alex Pereira have a wife?

There is no publicly confirmed information that Alex Pereira is currently married.

What is Alex Pereira’s nickname?

His nickname is “Poatan,” which translates to “Stone Hands.”

Who is Alex Pereira’s sister?

His sister is Aline Pereira, a professional combat sports athlete and Karate Combat champion.

What is Alex Pereira’s next fight?

No official fight has been announced, although Pereira has expressed interest in an immediate rematch with Ciryl Gane.

Has Alex Pereira won UFC titles in multiple divisions?

Yes. Pereira has won UFC championships at middleweight and light heavyweight and attempted to become the UFC’s first three-division champion in 2026.