Alex Pereira, a name synonymous with knockout power and striking prowess in the UFC, currently reigns as the light heavyweight champion. Before dominating the MMA scene, Pereira carved a formidable path in the world of kickboxing, where he also held multiple championships. Understanding when Alex Pereira started fighting reveals a compelling journey of overcoming adversity and channeling personal struggles into a successful combat sports career.
Pereira’s journey into combat sports began with kickboxing training in 2009. This wasn’t a lifelong ambition fueled by childhood dreams of glory, but rather a turning point in his life driven by the need for personal transformation. Growing up in the challenging environment of a Brazilian favela, Pereira faced hardships early on. He left middle school at the young age of 12 to work at a tire shop, a common path for many in his circumstances. It was during this time that he fell into a pattern of alcohol consumption, influenced by his coworkers, which unfortunately led to alcoholism.
Recognizing the need to break free from this destructive cycle, Alex Pereira made a pivotal decision. He sought a positive and disciplined outlet to combat his addiction, and that outlet was kickboxing. In 2009, at the age of 21, Pereira walked into a kickboxing gym, marking the beginning of his combat sports journey. This wasn’t just the start of a career; it was the beginning of a personal redemption story.
From those initial training sessions, Pereira demonstrated a natural aptitude for kickboxing. His dedication and raw talent quickly became apparent, propelling him through the ranks. Just a few years after starting his training, Alex Pereira made his professional kickboxing debut on March 31, 2012, at Jungle Fight 37. He faced Clei Silva and secured a victory by unanimous decision, signaling the arrival of a new force in the kickboxing arena.
Pereira’s kickboxing career flourished rapidly. He amassed an impressive record of 33 wins and 7 losses, with a staggering 21 knockouts. His achievements include winning the Glory 14: Zagreb Middleweight Contender Tournament in 2014 and capturing the Glory Middleweight Championship by defeating Simon Marcus at Glory 46: China. He further cemented his legacy by claiming the Glory Light Heavyweight Championship against Donegi Abena at Glory 68, becoming the first-ever simultaneous two-division champion in Glory Kickboxing history.
Notably, Alex Pereira also developed a fierce rivalry with Israel Adesanya in kickboxing, facing him twice before their paths crossed again in MMA. Pereira won both kickboxing encounters, adding another layer to his already impressive credentials. His success in kickboxing paved the way for his transition to mixed martial arts, where he continued his dominant streak, ultimately capturing the UFC Middleweight and Light Heavyweight titles. Therefore, to answer the question “When Did Alex Pereira Start Fighting?”, the pivotal year is 2009, when he began his kickboxing journey, a journey that laid the foundation for his remarkable success in combat sports.
