In the world of mixed martial arts, Alex Pereira’s rise to stardom has been meteoric. Known as ‘Poatan,’ he entered the MMA scene as a long-time adversary of the former UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya. Far from being a mere footnote in Adesanya’s career, Pereira has crafted one of the most captivating narratives in the history of combat sports. His ascent in the UFC has been rapid, and following UFC 300, fans have begun to speak of him as if he’s on a fast track to the UFC Hall of Fame.
Pereira’s journey in the UFC seems almost scripted, like a plot lifted from a blockbuster movie. It all started with a taunt from Adesanya, which Pereira took as a call to action. He pursued his rival into the octagon, leading to a climactic showdown at UFC 281. Despite his relative inexperience, Pereira staged a stunning comeback to secure a TKO victory over Adesanya in the fifth round, a moment that felt like the real-life embodiment of ‘plot armor.’
The rivalry between Pereira and Adesanya has been nothing short of poetic. Pereira’s training sessions with Sean Strickland, who would go on to defeat Adesanya, and his subsequent first-round knockout of Jamahal Hill, whom Adesanya had advised, only add to the drama. Pereira’s victories have not only established him as a formidable fighter but have also seemingly cursed those who have crossed paths with his mentor, Glover Teixeira.
Pereira’s accomplishments are remarkable, particularly for someone so new to the UFC. He has managed to defeat five UFC champions within his first eight fights, a feat unparalleled in the sport. His knockout of Strickland, followed by his victory over Adesanya, set the stage for his continued success. Despite a setback in a rematch, Pereira’s dominance persisted as he moved up to light heavyweight, defeating former champions like Jan Błachowicz, Jiří Procházka, and Jamahal Hill.
Alex Pereira’s achievements have not only been about defeating champions but also about surpassing the feats of his rivals. He has not only become the first man to defeat Adesanya at middleweight but has also bested every other fighter who has overcome ‘The Last Stylebender.’ Pereira’s victory over Jan Błachowicz, the first to defeat Adesanya in MMA, and his capture of the light heavyweight title, a goal that eluded Adesanya, solidify his position as a dominant force in the sport. As Pereira continues to build his legacy, the question on many minds is whether he is destined for the UFC Hall of Fame.
