Breaking Down Alex Pereira's Journey in the UFC
Alex Pereira, or 'Poatan' to his fans, is one of those fighters whose story keeps people watching. Raised in Brazil and fueled by years of kickboxing, Pereira didn't just step into MMA — he stormed through it. Carrying a UFC record of 12 wins and 3 losses, he’s knocked out most of his opponents, with 10 victories by KO. His combination of raw power and brutal precision has made him one of the scariest punchers in the game.
Pereira entered MMA with something most fighters only dream about: a world-class kickboxing background. He first made serious headlines in Glory, where he grabbed both the middleweight and light heavyweight kickboxing titles, finishing with a staggering 33-7 record, 21 of those by knockout. But it’s his MMA run that’s put him on a global stage — and forced everyone to take note.
Pereira wasn’t perfect from the start. He tasted defeat in his early days at Jungle Fight when Quemuel Ottoni caught him. Years later, Israel Adesanya handed him his second MMA loss at UFC 281, when he was submitted. And most recently, it was Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 who got the better of him, winning by decision. But these losses didn’t knock Pereira down the rankings. Instead, he kept clawing back, collecting highlight-reel finishes. Just check the tape: he flattened Jamahal Hill with a single left hook at UFC 300, delivered a wicked head kick to Jiri Procházka at UFC 303, and TKO'd Khalil Rountree Jr. in UFC 307’s later rounds. Even in the loss to Ankalaev, it’s obvious Pereira still brings danger to every match.
The Numbers and Titles That Define 'Poatan'
Looking at the stats, few fighters in any division carry Pereira’s knock-out power. The guy has double-digit KOs in MMA, and in kickboxing, he racked up 21 knockouts in 33 victories. Talk about consistent violence. His run as Glory Middleweight Champ from 2015 to 2016 and Light Heavyweight Champ from 2016 to 2017 cemented his legacy before he ever joined the UFC. Each title win added to a legend that just kept growing after he laced up the smaller gloves.
Fast forward to 2025 and Pereira's still near the top of the mountain. Despite the recent loss to Ankalaev, he's the #1 ranked UFC Light Heavyweight, with only the belt slipping out of reach. Pound-for-pound, he sits at #8 among all UFC fighters, showing just how much respect he’s earned from trainers, fans, and even his rivals. He’s known for his aggressiveness and tough mentality in every fight, whether chasing a comeback or defending his spot.
When you stack all this together — the violent knockouts, championship belts, and ability to bounce back from defeat — it’s easy to see why 'Poatan' is one of the most talked-about fighters in recent memory. He’s had setbacks, sure, but if history tells us anything, it’s that Alex Pereira is always just one punch away from changing the feel of an entire division.
Jay Patel
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