Alex Pereira has rapidly ascended through the ranks of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), capturing the middleweight title in a relatively short period. Many fans are asking, “Who Did Alex Pereira Just Fight?” to understand his journey and assess his reign as champion. Pereira’s recent fights have been against top-tier competition, showcasing his striking prowess and determination. Let’s delve into the details of who Alex Pereira has fought recently and his overall professional combat sports record.
Alex Pereira’s Impressive MMA Journey to the UFC
Before reaching the pinnacle of the UFC middleweight division, Alex Pereira honed his skills in mixed martial arts (MMA) after a decorated career in kickboxing. His transition to MMA started in Jungle Fight, a prominent Brazilian MMA promotion. His debut in October 2015 unfortunately resulted in a submission loss to Quemuel Ottoni. However, Pereira quickly rebounded, demonstrating resilience and developing his MMA skillset.
Before entering the UFC, Pereira amassed a record of 6 wins and 1 loss in MMA. Notably, five of these wins came by way of knockout, signaling his dangerous striking ability which he carried over from his kickboxing days. This early MMA experience set the stage for his eventual entry into the world’s leading MMA organization, the UFC.
Recent UFC Opponents and Title Victory
Alex Pereira’s UFC debut was in November 2021 against Andreas Michailidis at UFC 268. Pereira made a statement by winning via TKO in the second round, immediately putting the middleweight division on notice. His next fight came against Bruno Silva in March 2022 at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev. Pereira showcased his well-rounded game, securing a unanimous decision victory, proving he was more than just a striker.
In a significant step up in competition, Pereira faced Sean Strickland at UFC 276 in July 2022. Strickland, known for his durability and striking, was dispatched by Pereira via knockout in the first round. This victory catapulted Pereira into title contention, setting up a highly anticipated clash with then-champion Israel Adesanya.
The answer to “Who did Alex Pereira just fight?” in his most recent bout is Israel Adesanya. At UFC 281 in November 2022, Pereira faced Adesanya for the UFC middleweight championship. In a thrilling fight that lived up to the hype, Pereira defeated Adesanya by TKO in the fifth round, capturing the title and marking a monumental achievement in his MMA career. This victory was particularly significant as it avenged prior kickboxing losses to Adesanya and solidified Pereira’s position as a top fighter.
Alex Pereira’s Professional Combat Sports Record Breakdown
To fully appreciate Alex Pereira’s accomplishments, it’s essential to examine his overall professional record across different combat sports:
Overall Professional Record:
- Mixed Martial Arts: 8 fights, 7 wins, 1 loss
- Kickboxing: 40 fights, 33 wins, 7 losses
- Boxing: 1 fight, 1 win, 0 losses
MMA Win-Loss Record:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Decision | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2022 | Israel Adesanya | Won | KO/TKO | UFC 281: Adesanya vs. Pereira |
| July 2022 | Sean Strickland | Won | KO/TKO | UFC 276: Adesanya vs. Cannonier |
| March 2022 | Bruno Silva | Won | Unanimous | UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev |
| November 2021 | Andreas Michailidis | Won | KO/TKO | UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington 2 |
| November 2020 | Thomas Powell | Won | KO/TKO | LFA 95: Pereira vs. Powell |
| May 2016 | Marcus Vinicius | Won | KO/TKO | JF: Jungle Fight 87 |
| January 2016 | Marcelo Cruz | Won | KO/TKO | JF: Jungle Fight 85 |
| October 2015 | Quemuel Ottoni | Loss | Submission | JF: Jungle Fight 82 |
Pereira Professional MMA Career Breakdown:
| 8 fights | 7 wins | 1 loss |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 6 | 0 |
| By submission | 0 | 1 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
Pereira Professional Kickboxing Record:
| 40 fights | 33 wins | 7 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 21 | 2 |
| By decision | 12 | 5 |
Pereira Professional Boxing Record:
| 1 fight | 1 win | 0 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 0 |
Conclusion
Alex Pereira’s journey to the UFC middleweight championship is a testament to his striking skills and rapid adaptation to MMA. Answering the question “Who did Alex Pereira just fight?”, the answer is Israel Adesanya, a victory that crowned him champion. Looking at his recent opponents like Adesanya, Strickland, and Silva, it’s clear Pereira has faced and defeated high-caliber fighters. His upcoming rematch with Adesanya at UFC 287 is highly anticipated, promising another exciting chapter in his burgeoning MMA career.
