Alex Pereira, known as “Poatan,” has rapidly become one of the most dominant and talked-about fighters in mixed martial arts. Rising from humble beginnings in Brazil to becoming a two-division UFC champion, Pereira’s journey is marked by resilience, knockout power, and a compelling personal story. Here’s an in-depth look at his life, career, finances, relationships, and more.
Alex Pereira’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Alexsandro Silva Pereira |
| Nickname | Poatan |
| Date of Birth | July 7, 1987 |
| Age | 37 years |
| Place of Birth | São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Education | Completed primary education in Brazil |
| College | No public record of college attendance |
| Religion | N/A |
| Height | 6’4″ (193 cm) |
| Turned Pro | 2015 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $3 million |
| Salary | Varies per fight; recent purses up to $3.5 million |
| Spouse | Previously engaged to Merle Christine; ex-wife (mother of his children, name private) |
| Relationship Status | Unclear ; rumored links but no confirmed partner |
| Children | Two sons: Alessandro Vidal Silva and Lohan Vidal Silva |
| Instagram Profile | @alexpoatanpereira |
Early Career
Alex Pereira grew up in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, leaving school early to work various jobs. Struggling with alcoholism as a teen, he turned to kickboxing in 2009 to change his life. He quickly found success, winning amateur titles and then turning professional, where he captured multiple championships, including the Jungle Fight Middleweight title and the WGP 187-lb championship. His early struggles shaped his relentless fighting spirit and discipline.
Professional Career
Pereira’s professional MMA journey began in 2015 after a storied kickboxing career, where he became a two-division Glory champion and famously defeated Israel Adesanya twice. He debuted in the UFC in November 2021 and made an immediate impact, earning a title shot after just three wins. He captured the UFC Middleweight Championship by defeating Adesanya at UFC 281, then moved up to light heavyweight, where he won the title against Jiří Procházka at UFC 295.
Pereira successfully defended his light heavyweight belt multiple times, including memorable knockouts at UFC 300 and UFC 303. Known for his devastating left hook and striking prowess, he quickly became one of the UFC’s biggest stars, headlining marquee events and breaking records for rapid championship success.
Alex Pereira’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Alex Pereira’s net worth is estimated at $3 million. This figure is based on his UFC fight purses, pay-per-view shares, and endorsements. Some sources suggest his net worth could be as high as $5 million, but the consensus among most outlets is around $3 million.
Fight Purses
| Event | Date | Opponent | Result | Purse (Approx.) |
| UFC 268 | Nov 6, 2021 | Andreas Michailidis | Win | $154,000 |
| UFC Fight Night | Mar 12, 2022 | Bruno Silva | Win | $104,000 |
| UFC 276 | Jul 2, 2022 | Sean Strickland | Win | $244,000 |
| UFC 281 | Nov 12, 2022 | Israel Adesanya | Win | $682,000 |
| UFC 287 | Apr 8, 2023 | Israel Adesanya | Loss | $1,767,000 |
| UFC 295 | Nov 11, 2023 | Jiří Procházka | Win | $1,682,000 |
| UFC 300 | Apr 13, 2024 | Jamahal Hill | Win | $2,942,000 |
| UFC 303 | Jun 29, 2024 | Jiří Procházka | Win | $3,592,000 |
| UFC 307 | Oct 5, 2024 | Khalil Rountree Jr. | Win | $2,992,000 |
| UFC 313 | Mar 8, 2025 | Magomed Ankalaev | Loss | $2,442,000 |
Endorsements
- AthletiCBD
- Aviator
- Blockasset
- OWNIC
- Monster Energy
- Multiple other brands across apparel, software, and beverages
Career Records
| Opponent | Event | Date | Result | Method |
| Israel Adesanya | UFC 281 | Nov 12, 2022 | Win | TKO (Round 5) |
| Israel Adesanya | UFC 287 | Apr 8, 2023 | Loss | KO (Round 2) |
| Jiří Procházka | UFC 295 | Nov 11, 2023 | Win | TKO (Round 2) |
| Jiří Procházka | UFC 303 | Jun 29, 2024 | Win | KO (Round 2) |
| Jamahal Hill | UFC 300 | Apr 13, 2024 | Win | KO (Round 1) |
| Khalil Rountree Jr. | UFC 307 | Oct 5, 2024 | Win | TKO (Round 4) |
| Magomed Ankalaev | UFC 313 | Mar 8, 2025 | Loss | Decision (5 Rds) |
| Sean Strickland | UFC 276 | Jul 2, 2022 | Win | KO (Round 1) |
FAQs
1. Who is Alex Pereira?
Alex Pereira is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former professional kickboxer, known for being a two-division world champion in both MMA and kickboxing. He has held UFC titles in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions and is regarded as one of the greatest combat athletes of all time.
2. What are Alex Pereira’s major achievements in the UFC?
Pereira became the UFC Middleweight Champion by defeating Israel Adesanya, later moved up to win the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, and is the ninth fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two different weight divisions. He set a record for the shortest time to three title defenses in UFC history.
3. How did Alex Pereira transition from kickboxing to MMA?
Pereira was a highly decorated kickboxer, holding Glory titles in two weight classes. He transitioned to MMA in 2015, gradually improving his skills before signing with the UFC in 2021, where he quickly rose to championship status.
4. What is Alex Pereira’s MMA record?
As of April 2025, Pereira holds a professional MMA record of 12 wins and 3 losses.
5. Who are some of Alex Pereira’s most notable opponents?
Pereira has fought and defeated top fighters such as Israel Adesanya, Jiří Procházka, Jamahal Hill, Sean Strickland, and Jan Błachowicz.
6. What is Alex Pereira’s fighting style known for?
He is renowned for his powerful striking, particularly his knockout ability, which stems from his extensive kickboxing background. His left hook is especially feared in both kickboxing and MMA.
7. How quickly did Alex Pereira win a UFC title after joining the promotion?
Pereira won the UFC Middleweight Championship just one year and six days after his UFC debut, marking one of the fastest title runs in UFC history.
8. What records has Alex Pereira set in the UFC?
He set the record for the shortest time to three title defenses in UFC history at 175 days and became the first to hold both the UFC middleweight and light heavyweight titles.
9. What is Alex Pereira’s background outside of MMA?
Before MMA, Pereira was a two-time Glory Kickboxing Champion, the only fighter to hold Glory titles in two weight classes simultaneously, and he is widely respected for his achievements in kickboxing.
10. Has Alex Pereira received any awards for his performances?
Pereira has earned multiple Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses in the UFC, and was named Fighter of the Year at the World MMA Awards in 2024 after three title defenses in a single year.