Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira arrived in the UFC as a kickboxing legend who had done what many thought was impossible: beaten Israel Adesanya in both kickboxing and in the Octagon. A four-weight kickboxing world champion who represented Brazil internationally, Pereira brought a level of striking violence to the UFC that the organization had rarely seen. His knockout power is authentic -- not manufactured by small gloves or big size, but by technique and timing honed over years at the highest level of striking sports.

His UFC run has been a series of increasingly spectacular moments. The middleweight title win over Adesanya via TKO. The rematch finish. Then the shocking move to light heavyweight, where he stopped Jiri Prochazka for the vacant title and has reigned with an iron fist since, finishing multiple top contenders and making the 205-pound division look like his personal laboratory.

At UFC 320 in October 2025, Pereira beat Magomed Ankalaev to retain the title yet again, cementing his legacy as the most dominant light heavyweight champion of the modern era. At 37, the power is still there, the chin is still passing every test, and the determination to fight the best available opponents has earned him universal respect.

• Current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
• Former UFC Middleweight Champion
• Only fighter to beat Adesanya in both kickboxing and MMA
• 4-weight kickboxing world champion
• Stopped Jiri Prochazka (x2) for and in defense of the LHW title
• Title defenses against Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, Magomed Ankalaev (UFC 320, Oct 2025)

• 01Left hook (the 'Poatan Special')
• 02Right body kick setup to left hook
• 03Flying knee in the clinch
• 04Spinning back kick to the body
• 05Overhand right
• 06Short left hook in counter position