“Poatan” Alex Pereira, 35, of São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil is the reigning middleweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The Brazilian mixed martial artist won the title by dethroning then champion “The Last Stylebender” Israel Adesanya, 33, of Auckland, New Zealand at “UFC 281” on November 12, 2022.

Born in São Bernardo do Campo, Pereira is of Pataxó descent. He is training at Teixeira MMA and Fitness in Bethel, Connecticut, United States.

On November 11, 2022, Pereira arrived at the “UFC 281” weigh-ins in New York City, New York wearing a traditional indigenous garb honoring his Pataxó heritage. The fight night was held at the Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 12, 2022.

“UFC 281“

Marc Goddard served as the referee of the title bout, which was the main event of the evening. Pereira defeated Adesanya via technical knockout via punches after 2 minutes and 1 second in the fifth round.

The victory improved Pereira’s professional mixed martial arts record to 7 wins and 1 loss. On the other hand, Adesanya now has 23 wins and 2 losses.

On January 6, 2023, Pereira visited the Reserva Pataxó Porto do Boi, a nature preserve in Barra Velha, Caraíva, Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil, with his UFC Middleweight Championship belt. He took to Instagram to share a video and a photo from the experience.

“UFC 287“

Pereira’s first three professional MMA bouts were held São Paulo, Brazil. He joined the UFC in 2021.

On April 8, 2023, Adesanya will challenge Pereira in the main event of the “UFC 287” in Miami, Florida, USA. The UFC has yet to confirm the specific venue.

The rematch marks Pereira’s first title defense as the UFC Middleweight Champion. It is also his fifth fight in the UFC.

Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal, 38, of Miami and Gilbert “Durinho” Burns, 36, of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will co-headline “UFC 287”. The latter was born in Niteroi but now based in Lantana, Florida.