Alex Pereira Biography, Age, Net Worth & UFC Records

Who is Alex Pereira? (Biography Overview)

Alexsandro Pereira, known globally as “Poatan” (meaning “Stone Hands” in the indigenous Tupi language), was born on July 7, 1987, in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil. This Brazilian professional mixed martial artist has become synonymous with knockout power and precision striking, establishing himself as one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC light heavyweight and middleweight divisions.

Pereira’s nickname “Poatan” perfectly encapsulates his fighting style and reputation – stone hands that have ended the careers of numerous elite fighters across both kickboxing and MMA. His journey from the favelas of Brazil to the pinnacle of combat sports represents one of the most inspiring success stories in modern martial arts.

Before transitioning to MMA, Pereira achieved legendary status in kickboxing, becoming a two-division Glory champion and establishing himself as one of the greatest kickboxers of his generation. His kickboxing record of 33-7 (21 KOs) showcased the devastating power that would later make him a household name in the UFC.

The Brazilian’s transition to mixed martial arts in 2015 marked the beginning of a new chapter in combat sports, though his MMA debut came relatively late in his athletic career. Despite starting MMA at an advanced age for the sport, Pereira’s elite-level striking background and natural athleticism allowed him to fast-track his way to UFC championship success.

Alex Pereira Age, Height & Physical Stats

At 38 years old in 2025, Alex Pereira continues to compete at the highest levels of mixed martial arts, defying conventional wisdom about athletic prime years in combat sports. His physical dimensions and fighting specifications have made him a formidable presence in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions throughout his UFC career.

Complete Physical Profile

Pereira’s height of 6’4″ with a 79-inch reach provides him with significant physical advantages in both weight classes he has competed in. His frame allows him to generate tremendous leverage and power in his strikes while maintaining distance from opponents.

The Brazilian fighter’s age of 38 makes him one of the older active competitors in the UFC, yet his late start in MMA and exceptional physical conditioning have allowed him to maintain elite-level performance. His kickboxing background has provided him with years of technical refinement that translate directly to mixed martial arts competition.

His ability to compete effectively in both middleweight and light heavyweight divisions demonstrates his versatility and natural size advantages. According to Pereira himself, he weighs about 215 pounds on fight night when fighting as a middleweight and 225 to 235 pounds as a light heavyweight.

Early Life & Kickboxing Career

Alex Pereira’s early life in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, was marked by economic hardship and limited opportunities that motivated his eventual pursuit of combat sports as a path to success. Growing up in one of Brazil’s industrial regions, he discovered kickboxing as both a passion and a potential avenue for financial stability.

His kickboxing career began in earnest during his twenties, when he dedicated himself to developing the devastating striking techniques that would later make him famous worldwide. The discipline and work ethic developed during these formative years in kickboxing would prove invaluable throughout his transition to mixed martial arts.

Glory Kickboxing Success

Pereira’s kickboxing record of 33-7 with 21 knockouts tells the story of one of the sport’s most feared competitors. His success in Glory Kickboxing, widely considered the premier kickboxing organization globally, established his reputation as an elite striker capable of competing with the world’s best.

He had five successful title defenses and became the Glory Kickboxing interim light heavyweight champion in 2019 before becoming the undisputed light heavyweight champion in 2021. This championship success across multiple weight classes in kickboxing foreshadowed his later achievements in the UFC.

Notable Kickboxing Victories

The most significant victories of Pereira’s kickboxing career came against Israel Adesanya, whom he defeated twice in Glory competition. These victories over the future UFC middleweight champion established Pereira’s credentials and created the foundation for their eventual UFC rivalry.

His kickboxing success against Adesanya – stopping him twice with devastating knockouts – provided both fighters with a built-in storyline when they eventually met in the UFC. These victories demonstrated Pereira’s ability to perform against elite-level competition and handle pressure situations.

The transition from Glory champion to UFC contender represented a natural progression for Pereira, who had already proven his ability to compete at the highest levels of combat sports. His kickboxing achievements provided the perfect foundation for his eventual MMA success.

Transition to MMA & UFC Career

Pereira began his MMA career in 2015, though his professional mixed martial artist journey started in regional Brazilian promotions before eventually catching the attention of UFC scouts. His transition from kickboxing to MMA required developing new skills in grappling, takedown defense, and cage awareness while maintaining his devastating striking advantages.

Early MMA Career

Before joining the UFC, Pereira competed in organizations like Jungle Fight, where he gained valuable experience adapting his kickboxing skills to mixed martial arts competition. These early fights allowed him to develop the well-rounded game necessary for UFC success.

His MMA record before joining the UFC showed steady improvement and adaptation to the different demands of mixed martial arts. The experience gained in these regional promotions proved invaluable when he eventually reached the highest levels of the sport.

UFC Debut & Early Success

At UFC 268, Pereira made his UFC debut against Andreas Michailidis, winning via second round TKO. This impressive debut showcased his knockout power and ability to finish fights at the UFC level, immediately establishing him as a contender in the middleweight division.

His rapid rise through the UFC rankings reflected both his elite-level striking skills and his ability to adapt to the unique challenges of mixed martial arts competition. The combination of his Glory championship credentials and early UFC success created significant buzz around his potential title opportunities.

UFC Middleweight Championship Journey

Pereira’s path to the middleweight title was relatively short but highly impressive, featuring victories over established contenders that demonstrated his readiness for championship competition. His striking-heavy approach and knockout power made him an immediate threat to any opponent in the division.

Victory over Israel Adesanya (UFC 281): The pinnacle of Pereira’s middleweight career came at UFC 281 in November 2022, where he defeated Israel Adesanya to capture the UFC middleweight championship. This victory completed their rivalry trilogy (2-1 in Pereira’s favor across kickboxing and MMA) and established him as one of the most feared champions in the sport.

Championship Reign & Rematch Loss: Pereira’s reign as UFC middleweight champion was brief but memorable, lasting until April 2023 when he lost the title back to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287. The rematch saw Adesanya even their UFC score at 1-1, though Pereira still held the overall advantage including their kickboxing encounters.

UFC Light Heavyweight Success & Title Loss

Following his middleweight title loss, Pereira made the strategic decision to move up to the light heavyweight division, where his natural size and power advantages would be even more pronounced. This move proved highly successful initially, leading to another championship opportunity.

Path to Light Heavyweight Gold: Pereira’s light heavyweight campaign included a victory over Jan Błachowicz at UFC 291, demonstrating his ability to compete effectively against elite 205-pound competition. His performance against the former champion showcased improved takedown defense and cage awareness.

Championship Victory (UFC 295): At UFC 295 in November 2023, Pereira captured the vacant UFC light heavyweight title by defeating Jiří Procházka, establishing himself as a two-division UFC champion. This achievement placed him among the elite group of fighters who have captured titles in multiple weight classes.

Title Reign & Recent Loss: Pereira successfully defended his light heavyweight title multiple times through 2024 and early 2025, establishing himself as one of the division’s most dominant champions. However, he lost the title by unanimous decision to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 8, 2025.

Alex Pereira UFC Record & Stats (as of 2025)

Alex “Poatan” Pereira is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist in the UFC light heavyweight division, and a former UFC middleweight and UFC light heavyweight champion. His current professional MMA record stands at 12-3-0, with his UFC record being 9-2-0 following his recent loss to Ankalaev.

Complete MMA Statistics

Key UFC Fight Results

Championship Victories:

• vs Israel Adesanya (UFC 281): Won UFC Middleweight Championship
• vs Jiří Procházka (UFC 295): Won UFC Light Heavyweight Championship

Championship Losses:

• vs Israel Adesanya (UFC 287): Lost UFC Middleweight Championship
• vs Magomed Ankalaev (UFC 313): Lost UFC Light Heavyweight Championship

Notable Victories:

• vs Sean Strickland: Successful middleweight title defense
• vs Jan Błachowicz (UFC 291): Path to light heavyweight title shot
• vs Jamahal Hill: Light heavyweight title defense

Fighting Statistics & Performance

Pereira’s UFC statistics reflect his striking-heavy approach and finishing ability:

• Significant Strikes Landed per Minute: 5.2 (well above average)
• Striking Accuracy: 58% (excellent precision)
• Takedown Defense: 78% (solid defensive wrestling)
• Average Fight Time: 8 minutes, 42 seconds (frequent finisher)

His ability to end fights early has been a hallmark of his UFC career, with the majority of his victories coming via knockout or TKO. This finishing rate demonstrates his devastating power and ability to capitalize on opportunities when they arise.

Alex Pereira Net Worth (2025)

Alex Pereira’s net worth in 2025 is estimated between $3–4 million, reflecting his success as a two-division UFC champion and one of the sport’s biggest draws. Alex Pereira is arguably the biggest superstar and the face of the UFC today, which directly translates to substantial earning potential across multiple revenue streams.

Net Worth Breakdown & Income Sources

Pereira’s status as a former two-division champion has significantly elevated his earning potential, with championship fights typically commanding the highest purses in the sport. His ability to headline major pay-per-view events creates additional revenue through PPV point percentages.

Major UFC Paydays

UFC 300: UFC 300 was arguably the biggest UFC event and the greatest fight card in the history of the promotion, with Alex Pereira headlining as champion in the main event. This event likely provided one of his largest career paydays.

Championship Fights: His title fights against Adesanya, Procházka, and Ankalaev have represented his highest-earning performances, with championship bouts typically offering substantial base purses plus pay-per-view points.

Brazilian Market Appeal: Pereira’s Brazilian nationality and charismatic personality have made him extremely marketable in Brazil, one of the UFC’s largest international markets. This appeal translates to higher earning potential through local sponsorships and endorsements.

Fighting Style & Strengths

Alex Pereira’s fighting style is fundamentally rooted in his world-class kickboxing background, featuring devastating knockout power and technical striking precision that has made him one of the most feared competitors in UFC history. His approach combines calculated aggression with explosive finishing ability.

Signature Weapons & Techniques

Devastating Left Hook: Pereira’s left hook has become legendary in combat sports, responsible for numerous highlight-reel knockouts across both kickboxing and MMA. This signature weapon combines perfect timing, technique, and natural power to create one of the most feared strikes in the sport.

Elite Kickboxing Technique: His Glory championship background provides him with technical striking advantages that few MMA fighters can match. Years of high-level kickboxing competition have refined his technique to championship levels across all striking disciplines.

Knockout Power: With 21 KOs in 33 kickboxing victories and 8 KO/TKOs in 12 MMA wins, Pereira’s finishing rate demonstrates his exceptional power. His ability to end fights with single strikes creates constant danger for any opponent.

Tactical Approach

Pressure & Precision: Pereira’s fighting style is heavily rooted in his kickboxing background, typically maintaining a composed stance and applying pressure with deliberate movement, often using low kicks to slow his opponents down and set up power shots.

Takedown Defense: Throughout his UFC career, Pereira has shown continuous improvement in his takedown defense and cage awareness. His 78% takedown defense rate reflects his adaptation to the grappling demands of mixed martial arts.

Range Management: His height and reach advantages, combined with technical striking skills, allow him to control distance effectively and create opportunities for his power shots while minimizing opponent opportunities.

Legacy & Impact

Alex Pereira’s impact on combat sports extends far beyond his championship achievements, as he has become one of the most recognizable and marketable athletes in the UFC roster. His journey from Glory Kickboxing champion to two-division UFC champion represents one of the most remarkable crossover success stories in modern martial arts.

Historical Achievements

Two-Division UFC Champion: Pereira joins an elite group of fighters who have captured titles in multiple UFC weight classes, demonstrating his versatility and elite-level skills across different divisions. This achievement places him among the greatest fighters in UFC history.

Kickboxing-to-MMA Success: His successful transition from Glory champion to UFC champion has inspired countless kickboxers to consider MMA careers. Pereira has proven that elite-level striking can translate directly to mixed martial arts success with proper adaptation.

Brazilian MMA Legacy: As one of Brazil’s most successful UFC champions, Pereira has continued the country’s rich tradition of producing world-class mixed martial artists. His success has inspired a new generation of Brazilian fighters to pursue combat sports careers.

Cultural Impact

Global Stardom: Pereira’s knockout power and charismatic personality have made him one of the most popular fighters worldwide, transcending traditional MMA audiences to attract mainstream sports fans. His fights consistently generate significant viewer interest and pay-per-view success.

“Poatan” Brand: His nickname and personal brand have become synonymous with knockout power and entertainment value in combat sports. The “Poatan” identity has created merchandise opportunities and established him as a marketable personality beyond just fighting.

Future Prospects & UFC 320 Rematch

Pereira is scheduled to compete for the championship against champion Magomed Ankalaev in a rematch on October 4, 2025 at UFC 320. This upcoming bout represents his immediate opportunity to reclaim the light heavyweight title and continue his championship legacy.

The rematch with Ankalaev will be crucial in determining Pereira’s future in the sport and his legacy as one of the greatest UFC champions. A victory would establish him as the legitimate light heavyweight champion and potentially set up additional high-profile fights.

At 38 years old, Pereira’s time at the elite level may be limited, making each fight potentially career-defining. His experience, power, and technical skills suggest he remains capable of competing at championship levels despite his advancing age.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Alex Pereira’s age in 2025?

Alex Pereira is 38 years old in 2025, having been born on July 7, 1987. Despite his advanced age for mixed martial arts, he continues to compete at the highest levels of the sport.

2. What is Alex Pereira’s UFC record?

Alex Pereira’s UFC record is 9-2-0 as of 2025. His overall professional MMA record stands at 12-3-0, with the majority of his victories coming by way of knockout or TKO.

3. What is Alex Pereira’s net worth in 2025?

Alex Pereira’s net worth in 2025 is estimated between $3–4 million. This wealth comes from his UFC championship success, pay-per-view earnings, sponsorship deals, and his previous Glory Kickboxing career.

4. Who did Alex Pereira beat for the UFC title?

Alex Pereira won two UFC titles: he defeated Israel Adesanya for the middleweight championship at UFC 281, and later defeated Jiří Procházka for the light heavyweight championship at UFC 295.

5. How many times has Alex Pereira fought Israel Adesanya?

Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya have fought four times total: twice in Glory Kickboxing (both Pereira victories) and twice in the UFC (splitting 1-1, with Pereira winning at UFC 281 and Adesanya winning the rematch at UFC 287).

6. What does “Poatan” mean?

“Poatan” means “Stone Hands” in the Tupi language, an indigenous Brazilian language. This nickname perfectly describes Pereira’s devastating knockout power and precision striking ability.

7. Is Alex Pereira still the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion in 2025?

No, Alex Pereira lost the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 8, 2025, via unanimous decision. He is scheduled to fight Ankalaev in a rematch at UFC 320 on October 4, 2025.

8. What was Alex Pereira’s kickboxing record?

Alex Pereira’s kickboxing record was 33-7 with 21 knockouts. He was a two-division Glory Kickboxing champion, holding both the middleweight and light heavyweight titles during his kickboxing career.

9. How tall is Alex Pereira?

Alex Pereira stands 6’4″ (193 cm) tall with a 79-inch (201 cm) reach. His physical dimensions provide him with significant advantages in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.

10. When did Alex Pereira make his UFC debut?

Alex Pereira made his UFC debut at UFC 268 against Andreas Michailidis, winning the fight via second-round TKO. This impressive debut immediately established him as a contender in the middleweight division.

11. What fighting style does Alex Pereira use?

Alex Pereira’s fighting style is rooted in elite-level kickboxing and Muay Thai, featuring devastating knockout power, technical striking precision, and excellent range management. His style emphasizes pressure fighting with calculated aggression.

12. What is Alex Pereira’s nationality?

Alex Pereira is Brazilian, born in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil. He represents Brazil in international competition and has become one of the country’s most successful UFC champions.