Alex Pereira record and biography: from kick-boxing king to MMA double-champion

Fact box

• Name: Alex Sandro Silva Pereira
• Nickname: Poatan (“Stone Hands”)
• Born: July 7 1987 – São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil
• Height: 193 cm (6′4″)
• Reach: 201 cm (79″)
• Divisions: Middleweight / Light Heavyweight
• Stance: Orthodox
• Team: Teixeira MMA & Fitness (Bethel, Connecticut, USA)
• Professional MMA record: 13 wins – 3 losses (as of Oct 2025)
• Kickboxing titles: Former GLORY Middleweight & Light Heavyweight Champion
• UFC titles: Former UFC Middleweight Champion / Current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
• Last fight: vs Magomed Ankalaev – UFC 320 (4 Oct 2025) – Win by KO (1:20, Round 1)
• Status: Recovering from foot injury; next bout TBA (2026 expected)

Early life and kickboxing roots

Born and raised in São Paulo, Pereira grew up in a working-class environment where sport became his escape. He started in boxing before discovering kickboxing as a teenager. His physicality, precise timing and devastating left hook quickly made him a local standout. His relentless training led him to GLORY Kickboxing, where he won world titles in two weight classes — middleweight and light heavyweight — establishing himself as one of the best pure strikers of his generation.

Transition to MMA and UFC debut

Pereira began his MMA career in 2015 but didn’t fully commit to the sport until teaming with former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira. Under Teixeira’s mentorship, he refined his wrestling defense and cage awareness while sharpening the striking weapons that had already made him a legend. Pereira joined the UFC in late 2021 and made an instant impact, debuting with a flying-knee knockout of Andreas Michailidis at UFC 268 in New York City.

The victory showcased how effortlessly his kickboxing skills translated into MMA. The combination of poise, timing, and one-punch stopping power marked him as a future contender immediately.

Middleweight title run

Pereira’s rise was meteoric. Within one year of entering the UFC, he earned a title shot against his old kickboxing rival, Israel Adesanya. At UFC 281 in November 2022, Pereira captured the middleweight crown with a fifth-round TKO, handing Adesanya his first middleweight loss and ending one of the longest title reigns in UFC history.

Although he lost the rematch in 2023, his brief middleweight reign had already changed the division’s hierarchy. Realizing the extreme weight cut was unsustainable, Pereira moved up to light heavyweight — a decision that would define his legacy.

Dominance at light heavyweight

In November 2023, Pereira won the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship by defeating Jiří Procházka at UFC 295. He then defended the belt in spectacular fashion with a 13-second knockout in their rematch in 2024 — one of the fastest finishes in a UFC title fight.

He temporarily lost the belt on 8 March 2025 at UFC 313, when Magomed Ankalaev out-pointed him over five rounds. But Pereira’s story of resilience continued: at UFC 320 on 4 October 2025, he reclaimed the light heavyweight title with a devastating first-round KO. The win re-established him as one of the most dangerous strikers in MMA history.

Fighting style and tactics

Pereira’s style is rooted in elite kickboxing mechanics but adapted perfectly for MMA. He maintains a tall stance and long guard to control range, using feints and low kicks to freeze opponents before exploding with precision counters. His trademark left hook remains one of the sport’s most efficient knockout weapons, capable of ending fights instantly.

Unlike many strikers, Pereira fights with composure and patience, walking opponents down without wasting movement. His defense, built on tight head movement and guard positioning, has evolved under MMA pressure. With Teixeira’s influence, his takedown defense and cage awareness have reached a level that allows him to dictate where the fight happens. The result is a modern hybrid — a kickboxing purist who mastered enough grappling to neutralize wrestlers.

Recent setbacks and current status

In March 2025 Pereira suffered his third career MMA defeat against Ankalaev, a fight that underscored both his durability and the challenge of elite wrestlers. However, his first-round revenge knockout seven months later silenced critics and earned him Performance of the Night honors.

He sustained a minor foot injury during that October 2025 win and is expected to take time off before defending his title again in 2026. UFC officials have hinted that his next opponent could be Jamahal Hill or a rubber match with Ankalaev depending on the division’s timeline.

Legacy and influence

Alex Pereira’s success reshaped perceptions of striking in MMA. For years, analysts argued that pure strikers couldn’t dominate in a wrestling-heavy sport. Pereira’s dual-sport triumph proved otherwise. His transition from GLORY champion to two-division UFC titleholder serves as the blueprint for kickboxers making the jump.

Beyond his athletic feats, fans admire his stoicism. Poatan’s quiet confidence — rarely smiling, rarely trash-talking — contrasts sharply with the sport’s louder personalities. His ceremonial walkouts featuring Indigenous Brazilian themes and his powerful left-hand finishes have made him a cultural icon in Brazil and beyond.

Whether he adds another title defense or eventually moves to heavyweight, Pereira’s story already secures his place among the most successful combat sports crossovers ever.

FAQ

What is Alex Pereira’s current MMA record?

As of October 2025, Pereira’s professional record stands at 13 wins and 3 losses. Most of his victories have come by knockout.

Which UFC titles has Alex Pereira held?

He has held the UFC Middleweight and UFC Light Heavyweight Championships, making him a two-division titleholder.

Is Alex Pereira still the champion?

Yes. After losing the belt in March 2025, he regained the UFC Light Heavyweight title on 4 October 2025 with a first-round KO of Magomed Ankalaev.

When will Alex Pereira fight next?

He is recovering from a foot injury sustained at UFC 320 and is expected to return in early 2026.

Why do fans call him “Poatan”?

“Poatan” means “Stone Hands” in an Indigenous Brazilian language — a nickname that reflects his renowned knockout power.