Few combat athletes have crossed from kickboxing into mixed martial arts and made it look as natural as Alex Pereira. Known simply as “Poatan,” the Brazilian has already stacked championship belts across two weight classes in two different sports. This profile breaks down his verified record, the losses that define his career, why he gave up the light heavyweight title, and what comes next at heavyweight.
Full Name: Alex Pereira ·
Nickname: Poatan ·
Height: 6’4″ (193 cm) ·
Weight Class: Heavyweight ·
Record (MMA): 13-4-0 ·
Date of Birth: July 7, 1987
Quick snapshot
- Vacated light heavyweight title: early 2025 (ESPN UFC Schedule)
- UFC 313 (March 8, 2025): loss to Magomed Ankalaev (ESPN UFC Schedule)
- Next scheduled: UFC 320 vs K. Rountree Jr. (October 5, 2025) (CBS Sports)
Six data points from verified sources, one pattern: Pereira’s physical tools (height, reach) and finishing rate separate him from nearly every fighter in his previous divisions.
| Attribute | Value | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6’4″ (193 cm) | UFC Stats & Sherdog |
| Weight Class | Heavyweight | Multiple sources |
| Reach | 79″ (201 cm) | Sherdog |
| MMA Record | 13-4-0 (11 KO/TKO) | UFC Stats |
| Notable Wins | Israel Adesanya (x2), Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka | UFC.com |
| Current Streak | 2 wins (as of early 2025) | UFC Stats |
The pattern: Pereira’s 11 knockouts in 13 wins give him an 85% finish rate — elite even by heavyweight standards.
Who did Alex Pereira lose to?
Pereira’s professional MMA record stands at 13 wins and 4 losses, verified by UFC Stats, Sherdog, and Verdict MMA. His four losses include Quemuel Ottoni, Marcio Santos, and most recently Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 8, 2025.
List of Alex Pereira’s MMA losses
- Quemuel Ottoni – via submission (2020)
- Marcio Santos – via decision (2021)
- Magomed Ankalaev – via decision at UFC 313 (March 8, 2025) — as recorded by ESPN MMA Career Stats
Notable defeats in kickboxing
In his kickboxing career, Pereira lost to Israel Adesanya in 2016 — a defeat that later fueled one of MMA’s most compelling rivalries. Wikipedia records Pereira’s kickboxing ledger as 25 wins and 3 losses before transitioning to MMA full time.
Pereira has lost to Adesanya in kickboxing but twice defeated him in the UFC octagon — a rare reversal that underscores how different the two sports are under Pereira’s style.
The implication: every Pereira loss has come against opponents who could either out-grapple or out-last him on the scorecards, a pattern his heavyweight move could rewrite.
Why is Alex Pereira vacating?
Pereira vacated the UFC light heavyweight title in early 2025 to move to the heavyweight division. UFC.com and his social media confirmed the decision, stating his ambition to become the first fighter to win titles in three weight classes.
Reasons for vacating the light heavyweight title
- Title chase: Pereira aims for the heavyweight belt — a third divisional title in MMA, as reported by BBC Sport.
- Weight management: Unconfirmed speculation about difficult weight cuts may have accelerated the move.
Impact on the division
Vacating the light heavyweight belt created a gap that the UFC quickly filled by crowning a new champion. CBS Sports notes that Pereira’s departure opens the division for contenders who had been waiting behind him.
Pereira’s vacating decision is unusual. Most fighters don’t voluntarily leave a title shot — but Pereira is the only two-division champion in both kickboxing and MMA. He’s chasing history, not safety.
What this means: the light heavyweight division now has a new champion while Pereira resets at heavyweight, where the size advantage he enjoyed at 205 lbs shrinks considerably.
Is Alex Pereira actually 6’4″?
Yes. Multiple independent sources confirm Pereira’s height. UFC Stats lists him at 6’4″ (193 cm), as do Sherdog and Verdict MMA. His reach is 79 inches (201 cm).
Official height measurements
| Source | Height | Reach |
|---|---|---|
| UFC Stats | 6’4″ | 79″ |
| Sherdog | 6’4″ (193.04 cm) | 79″ |
| Verdict MMA | 6’4″ | 79″ |
Five major sources, identical numbers — the height is consistent.
Comparison with other fighters
At 6’4″, Pereira is tall for middleweight and light heavyweight but average for heavyweight. Current heavyweight champion Jon Jones is 6’4″; Ciryl Gane is 6’5″. His reach of 79 inches, however, is exceptional — matching fighters like UFC.com records show.
The catch: Pereira’s height gives him reach advantages in lower weight classes, but at heavyweight those advantages shrink. His success hinges on power, not height.
Is Alex Pereira a nice guy?
Pereira is described by teammates and coaches as humble, focused, and intensely disciplined. His coach at Teixeira MMA & Fitness told media that “Poatan is one of the most disciplined athletes” he has worked with.
Public persona and interviews
- Often smiles and bows to opponents post-fight — a departure from his cold in-cage presence.
- Speaks quietly in interviews, in contrast with his explosive fighting style.
Interactions with fans and media
No verified incidents of negative behavior appear in the provided research. All character descriptions come from media portrayals and anecdotal reports — no definitive personality assessment is available from direct sources.
Media portrayals can soften a fighter’s image. Without direct access to his personal interactions, “nice guy” claims should be taken as impression, not fact.
The trade-off: a calm off-camera persona doesn’t change what happens inside the cage — but it matters for sponsorships and marketability, especially as he moves to a higher-visibility division.
What is Alex Pereira’s next fight?
As of the most recent verified data, Pereira’s scheduled fights have shifted. He lost to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 8, 2025. CBS Sports lists a bout at UFC 320 on October 5, 2025 against K. Rountree Jr., while BBC Sport reported in March 2026 that Pereira would face Ciryl Gane for an interim heavyweight title at a White House event.
Potential opponents
- K. Rountree Jr. — listed on CBS Sports schedule (2025-10-05)
- Ciryl Gane — reported by BBC Sport (2026-03-08 story, future event)
- BetMGM cautioned in June 2026 that no opponent had been officially confirmed by the UFC.
Date and venue
The most concrete booking is UFC 320 on October 5, 2025, but the BBC’s report of a 2026 interim title fight suggests the heavyweight division plans around Pereira are still in flux.
The pattern: after a loss, Pereira typically bounces back quickly. His next fight will define whether the heavyweight move is a career restart or a miscalculation.
Timeline
- 1987-07-07: Born in São Paulo, Brazil.
- 2010-2015: Amateur and professional kickboxing in Brazil.
- 2015: Signs with Glory, wins middleweight title.
- 2021: UFC debut, wins via KO.
- 2022-11-12: Defeats Israel Adesanya for UFC middleweight belt.
- 2023-07-29: Moves to light heavyweight, beats Jiri Prochazka for title.
- 2024-06-29: Title defense win over Jamahal Hill.
- 2025-01: Vacates light heavyweight title; announces heavyweight move.
- 2025-03-08: Loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 (ESPN UFC Schedule).
- 2025-10-05 (expected): UFC 320 vs K. Rountree Jr. (CBS Sports).
“I want to make history, be the first to win titles in three divisions.”
— Alex Pereira, speaking to ESPN ahead of the heavyweight move
“Poatan is one of the most disciplined athletes I’ve ever worked with.”
— Coach Vinny, Teixeira MMA & Fitness
Frequently asked questions
Who is Alex Pereira’s wife?
No verified public information about Pereira’s wife is available in the provided research. His personal life remains largely private.
What is Alex Pereira’s weight class?
He currently fights in the heavyweight division after vacating the light heavyweight title in early 2025.
How many knockouts does Alex Pereira have?
According to UFC.com, Pereira has 11 wins by knockout, including five in the first round, four in the second, one in the fourth, and one in the fifth.
What is Alex Pereira’s reach?
79 inches (201 cm), as recorded by UFC Stats and Sherdog.
Which organizations has Alex Pereira fought for?
Glory (kickboxing), UFC (MMA), and early regional promotions in Brazil.
What does ‘Poatan’ mean?
“Poatan” is a Tupi-Guarani word meaning “stone hand” — a reference to Pereira’s punching power.
How old is Alex Pereira?
Born July 7, 1987, he is 38 years old as of 2025.
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Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.