Alex Pereira Net Worth 2024, Salary, Earnings and Stats: Alex Pereira is a Brazilian MMA fighter and current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion with an estimated net worth of $2-3 million in 2024, career earnings over $7 million, and a professional MMA record of 12-2 with 10 knockouts.
Key Takeaways
- Alex Pereira is a Brazilian MMA fighter and former kickboxer with an estimated net worth of $2-3 million.
- He is the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and former UFC Middleweight Champion.
- Pereira has career MMA earnings of over $7 million from UFC fights.
- He transitioned to MMA after a successful kickboxing career where he was a two-division Glory champion.
- Pereira is known for his knockout power and has notable wins over Israel Adesanya in both kickboxing and MMA.
Alex Pereira: The Knockout Artist’s Rise to UFC Stardom
Early Life and Background
Alex Pereira was born on July 7, 1987 in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil. Growing up in a favela, Pereira faced hardships early in life. He dropped out of middle school and began working as a bricklayer’s assistant and later in a tire shop to support himself. During this time, Pereira developed an alcohol addiction.
In 2009, at age 21, Pereira began training in kickboxing as a way to overcome his alcoholism. This decision would set him on the path to becoming one of the most feared strikers in combat sports.
Kickboxing Career
Pereira quickly found success in kickboxing, compiling an impressive amateur record before turning professional. He won multiple championships in Brazil before signing with Glory Kickboxing in 2014.
In Glory, Pereira became a two-division champion, holding both the middleweight and light heavyweight titles simultaneously. He amassed a professional kickboxing record of 33-7 with 21 knockouts.
Notably, Pereira holds two wins over future UFC champion Israel Adesanya in kickboxing, including a highlight reel knockout in their 2017 rematch.
Transition to MMA
After conquering the kickboxing world, Pereira set his sights on mixed martial arts. He made his professional MMA debut in 2015 but lost via submission. Pereira then returned to kickboxing before committing fully to MMA in 2020.
In November 2021, Pereira signed with the UFC and made his promotional debut at UFC 268. He quickly climbed the middleweight rankings with three straight wins, including a knockout of Sean Strickland.
UFC Championship Success
Pereira’s rapid rise led to a title shot against his old kickboxing rival Israel Adesanya at UFC 281 in November 2022. In just his fourth UFC fight, Pereira scored a dramatic 5th round TKO to capture the UFC Middleweight Championship.
After losing the rematch to Adesanya, Pereira moved up to light heavyweight. He defeated former champion Jan Blachowicz before winning the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight title with a TKO of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295.
Pereira has since defended the light heavyweight belt twice, most recently with a 4th round TKO of Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 in October 2024.
Fighting Style and Skills
Nicknamed “Poatan” which means “Hands of Stone” in the indigenous Tupi language, Pereira is renowned for his devastating knockout power. His left hook is considered one of the most dangerous weapons in MMA.
While primarily known as a striker, Pereira has shown improved grappling defense in recent fights. His kickboxing background gives him a diverse striking arsenal including powerful kicks and knees.
At 6’4″ with a 79-inch reach, Pereira possesses excellent size and length for both middleweight and light heavyweight. He utilizes his range effectively to control distance and land powerful counter strikes.
Career Achievements
- UFC Light Heavyweight Champion (1 time, current)
- UFC Middleweight Champion (1 time)
- First fighter to win UFC titles at middleweight and light heavyweight
- Glory Kickboxing Middleweight Champion
- Glory Kickboxing Light Heavyweight Champion
- 3x Glory Kickboxing Middleweight Tournament Winner
- WGP Kickboxing Middleweight Champion
Alex Pereira Career Stats
MMA Record: 12-2 (10 KOs, 2 Decisions) UFC Record: 8-1 Kickboxing Record: 33-7 (21 KOs)
Notable UFC Wins:
- Israel Adesanya (TKO)
- Jan Blachowicz (Decision)
- Jiri Prochazka (TKO)
- Sean Strickland (KO)
- Jamahal Hill (KO)
Alex Pereira Salary and Earnings
Pereira’s UFC earnings have grown substantially as he’s risen to championship status. Some of his reported fight purses include:
- UFC 281 vs Adesanya: $1,767,000
- UFC 295 vs Prochazka: $1,197,000
- UFC 300 vs Hill: $2,942,000
His total career MMA earnings are estimated at over $7 million. This does not include undisclosed bonuses or sponsorship income.
Net Worth
Alex Pereira’s estimated net worth is between $2-3 million as of 2024. This factors in his UFC fight purses, performance bonuses, and sponsorship deals. His net worth has grown rapidly since becoming a UFC champion in late 2022.
Personal Life
Pereira has two children from a previous marriage. He is currently in a relationship with his girlfriend Merle, who is often seen supporting him at fights.
Pereira embraces his indigenous Brazilian heritage. He has the Pataxó tribe’s symbol tattooed on his chest and often incorporates indigenous themes into his fight walkouts and attire.
He trains out of Teixeira MMA & Fitness in Danbury, Connecticut under the guidance of former UFC champion Glover Teixeira. Pereira’s younger sister, Aline Pereira, is also an MMA fighter signed to the UFC.
Latest News
At UFC 307 on October 5, 2024, Alex Pereira successfully defended his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Khalil Rountree Jr. The fight ended in the fourth round with Pereira winning by TKO.
Key points from the fight:
- Pereira faced early adversity, with Rountree Jr. having success in the first two rounds
- The champion adjusted his strategy and began to take control in the third round
- In the fourth round, Pereira unleashed a barrage of strikes that forced the referee to stop the fight
- This marked Pereira’s third successful defense of the light heavyweight title
The victory further solidified Pereira’s status as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC. It also set a new record for the most title fight wins in UFC Light Heavyweight division history, with Pereira now tied with Daniel Cormier at four wins.
Following the fight, there has been speculation about potential next opponents for Pereira. Some possibilities include:
- A trilogy fight with Jiri Prochazka
- A champion vs. champion bout against heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall
- A rematch with Jan Blachowicz
Pereira’s performance at UFC 307 has also reignited discussions about his place in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings. Many analysts are calling for him to be moved up, given his dominant run as light heavyweight champion.