Alex Pereira
Active 2021–present · rated in 3 editions across 2 divisions · peak overall 93.0
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Alex Pereira at light heavyweight
Scouting report
Pereira moved up to light heavyweight after Israel Adesanya dethroned him at middleweight. He knocked out Jiri Prochazka in the second round at UFC 295 to capture the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, then defended the belt with a first-round knockout of Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, a rematch knockout of Prochazka at UFC 303, and a fourth-round stoppage of Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307. He lost the title to Magomed Ankalaev by unanimous decision at UFC 313 in March 2025, then won it back from Ankalaev at UFC 320. His striking, built on a background as a two-division Glory kickboxing world champion out of São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, is reflected in an 86 Kickboxing rating and 93 Overall score.
Peak ratings
By edition
Alex Pereira and the left hook from a former kickboxing champion
Alex Pereira arrived in the sport's top promotion after a long, successful career in kickboxing, where he twice beat Israel Adesanya. He moved to MMA and won titles at middleweight and light heavyweight within a short span. Draft him for the left hook and the calm face he wears while he throws it.
Pereira by attribute
Boxing. Very heavy. His left hook is the punch that ended Adesanya in their 2023 rematch, and the right hand follows it.
Kickboxing. The peak of his card. Leg kicks, body kicks, and the timing behind them all come straight from Glory.
Wrestling. Serviceable. He has improved his takedown defense, but it is not why anyone picks him.
BJJ. The lowest number. He wants to be upright and does not chase ground exchanges.
Strength. Thick, physical, and comfortable in the clinch at 205.
Durability. He takes a shot well and seldom looks rattled.
Cardio. Good for a man who mostly ends fights early. He does not appear to slow much in the later rounds.
Fight IQ. Patient and clever. He tracks a rhythm and waits for the mistake.
Kickboxing that fights like a trap
Pereira sets up leg kicks, then waits for an opponent to lean or reach. The left hook lands as a response. It is the pick for a striking build that would rather wait than force the pace.
The floor game: BJJ
A committed grappler is the way to make him uncomfortable, and BJJ is where his card is lightest. If he lands on his back with someone who hunts submissions, he will look to stand rather than counter. Support him with a wrestler and it shrinks.
Alex Pereira at middleweight
Scouting report
Alex Pereira moved up to middleweight after a kickboxing career in which he beat Israel Adesanya three times in Glory competition. He knocked out Sean Strickland with a first-round left hook at UFC 276 in June 2022, then stopped Adesanya in the fifth round at UFC 281 in Madison Square Garden in November 2022 to win the UFC Middleweight Championship, before Adesanya knocked him out in the second round at UFC 287 to reclaim the belt. Born in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, Pereira carried an 89 Boxing and 84 Kickboxing rating through his middleweight run, going undefeated in the division's UFC ranks before moving up to light heavyweight.
Peak ratings
Alex Pereira and the middleweight belt
Alex Pereira arrived from professional kickboxing and took the middleweight title in November 2022 by stopping Israel Adesanya in the fifth round at Madison Square Garden. Adesanya knocked him out in the second round of the rematch in April 2023 and took the belt back, but the card still shows what Pereira did at 185. It is a heavy-hitting striker with a short list of holes. That is why a drafter would take him at this weight. The two striking ratings are among the best in the division, and a single connecting shot often decides the fight before the low grappling numbers matter.
Middleweight attributes explained
Boxing. Very strong at 92. The left hook is the headline and he lands it from more than one position.
Kickboxing. His best at 96. Kicking and defensive timing come from years in the ring.
Wrestling. Low at 68. Determined wrestlers can get him down.
BJJ. His lowest at 66. On the floor he mostly looks to get back to his feet.
Strength. Very high at 90. His strikes carry huge force.
Durability. Good at 82. He has held up well against most opponents.
Cardio. Solid. His pace stays workable, though he prefers to end things early.
Fight IQ. Good at 86. He reads openings and uses his timing to end fights.
A card built on Kickboxing
Kickboxing at 96 dominates the card. Power and timing arrive together, and any opponent who steps into range can be finished.
The trapdoor: BJJ
BJJ is 66, the lowest number. Opponents who get him down and stay on top can neutralise the card, so a partner with strong grappling helps.
Keep exploring
Closest light heavyweight profiles to Alex Pereira, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Carlos Ulbergbest boxing 91 · weakest bjj 72
- Jiri Prochazkabest boxing 92 · weakest bjj 80
- Khalil Rountreebest kickboxing 92 · weakest bjj 70
- Jamahal Hillbest boxing 92 · weakest bjj 74
- Light Heavyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Middleweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Alex Pereira's strongest attribute, Kickboxing.
Draft Alex Pereira into your build
Alex Pereira enters the pool on any spin landing on light heavyweight or middleweight between 2020 and present. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are our own, built from independent research and from how Alex Pereira is regarded by the MMA community, with earlier MMA video games used only as a starting baseline for the scale. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Alex Pereira's real-world abilities. See the disclaimer below. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read how we check our write-ups in our editorial standards.