UFC Superstar Alex Pereira Awarded for Helping Transform Hometown With Significant Donations

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is awarded the Beacon Award for Excellence for his charity work in Brazil.

UFC Superstar Alex Pereira Awarded for Helping Transform Hometown With Significant Donations

Alex Pereira receives award (via MMA Fighting, X)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Alex Pereira’s rise stands as the UFC’s most inspiring story, defined by a journey from Brazil’s favelas to global prominence. He first became a GLORY Kickboxing champ before transitioning to MMA. Pereira’s UFC run has seen him capture titles in two divisions in the world’s largest MMA promotion. His efforts to give back to the people of Brazil have recently earned him the Beacon Award for community service.

Pereira’s rise was shaped by hardship, as he grew up in poverty and worked at a tire shop in Brazil. During that period, he struggled with a serious alcohol addiction that impacted his health and daily life. Those circumstances led him to be introduced to combat sports as a means of discipline and recovery. His professional kickboxing career began with a victory over Clei Silva at Jungle Fight 37.

The Beacon Award recognizes outstanding contributions to community development, with multiple organizations presenting their own versions of the honor. Pereira was recently awarded the distinction for his charity work in his hometown, receiving it alongside longtime trainer and friend Plinio Cruz. His initiatives provide MMA training, computer literacy education, and English classes to hundreds of children.

‘Poatan’ also recently capitalized on the UFC’s $7.7 billion deal with Paramount+. Through a partnership involving the UFC and Paramount Social Impact, he participated in community outreach initiatives in Las Vegas. These efforts included delivering toys and motivation to pediatric patients at Cure 4 The Kids. He also taught jiu-jitsu to local students at the Fighting for the Future Foundation.

The year 2025 proved eventful for Pereira, beginning with a setback as he lost the light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313. That defeat was short-lived, as Pereira reclaimed the championship in their rematch at UFC 320 with a knockout victory. The win marked another major milestone in his career and elevated him to a three-time UFC champion across the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.

According to MARCA, the Brazilian champion’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. Even at 38, Pereira remains one of the UFC’s most dependable champions, consistently delivering at the highest level. He is also a 2023 inductee into the GLORY Kickboxing Hall of Fame, underscoring his legacy across combat sports. By continuing to give back to his roots, Alex Pereira stands among Brazil’s most iconic superstars.

Khamzat Chimaev calls out Alex Pereira in a series of posts

While Alex Pereira was largely undefeated early in his UFC career, he has two losses in the promotion. He lost the middleweight title to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287 and later dropped the light heavyweight belt to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313. Before joining the UFC, Pereira also lost to Qumuel Ottoni in 2015. These defeats have recently been cited by middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev in his callout.

Khamzat Chimaev calls out Alex Pereira
Khamzat Chimaev calls out Alex Pereira (via MMA Fighting, Playoffs)

Chimaev has been vocal about pursuing a champion-versus-champion superfight against Pereira. However, ‘Poatan’ has shown minimal interest and instead suggested a charity grappling match as an alternative.’Borz’ views this as disrespectful to his competitive ambitions. He has indicated that he is no longer engaging with Pereira’s team for negotiations, as he believes that it is demeaning to him.

Alex Pereira has been vocal about a potential move to heavyweight, aiming to become a three-division UFC champion. Achieving titles in middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight remains a key ambition. However, UFC CEO Dana White has stated that moving up is not the best decision at this time. This could create an opening for a potential superfight with Khamzat Chimaev in light heavyweight.

Also Read: