Alex Pereira, also known as "Poatan," has had a meteoric rise in the UFC, clinching the middleweight championship just three fights into his UFC stint.
His journey began with notable victories in kickboxing, including two wins over Israel Adesanya, setting the stage for their epic showdowns in the UFC.
At UFC 281, Pereira and Adesanya faced off for the UFC middleweight title, where Pereira triumphed, solidifying his status as a top contender.
He later defeated Jiří Procházka to claim the light heavyweight title, showcasing his versatility and power across weight classes.
This Saturday, Alex Pereira defends his title against Jiří Procházka at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas in UFC 303.
Career Milestones:
2017: Pereira won the Glory Kickboxing middleweight title and defended it five times.
2019-2021: He ascended from interim to undisputed Glory Kickboxing light heavyweight champion.
UFC 268: Made a stunning UFC debut against Andreas Michailidis, securing a victory with a second-round TKO.
UFC 281: Claimed the UFC middleweight title by stopping Adesanya in the fifth round.
UFC 295: After a brief title loss, Pereira moved up in weight and captured the light heavyweight title by defeating Procházka.
Notable UFC Fights:
UFC 268 vs. Andreas Michailidis: Pereira's debut showcased his striking prowess with a dramatic second-round flying knee knockout.
UFC Fight Night vs. Bruno Silva: Demonstrated resilience and technical striking, winning by unanimous decision after a tough three rounds.
UFC 276 vs. Sean Strickland: A quick knockout victory against a top-ranked opponent set up Pereira for his title shot.
UFC 281 vs. Israel Adesanya: Overcame a scorecard deficit to secure the middleweight championship with a powerful display in the fifth round.
UFC 295 vs. Jiří Procházka: Captured the light heavyweight title with a strategic counterattack, stopping Procházka in the second round.
Alex Pereira's journey from the kickboxing rings to dual-class UFC champion is a testament to his skill, determination, and adaptability, making him one of the most formidable fighters in the sport's history.