Alex Pereira, the formidable UFC light heavyweight champion, is set to face Jiri Prochazka in a highly anticipated rematch at UFC 303. As fight night approaches, a familiar sight has resurfaced: footage of Pereira shaving his head. This ritual, performed before each of his battles in the octagon, has become a signature part of his pre-fight preparation. But why does Alex Pereira choose to shave his head before stepping into the fight?
The reason behind Pereira’s shaved head isn’t shrouded in mystery or complex tradition. In a video shared on his official YouTube channel, ‘Poatan’ himself offered a straightforward explanation. Filming his pre-UFC 300 head-shaving session, Pereira casually explained that his decision is rooted in practicality and personal preference. He acknowledged that while he naturally has thick, voluminous hair that some might admire, he simply doesn’t enjoy the upkeep. When asked if he always shaves his own head, Pereira confirmed it’s a task he regularly undertakes, stating, “I always shave it, it’s easy. Sometimes you’re busy and have to schedule a time.” For Pereira, shaving his head is a matter of convenience and maintaining a clean, bald look that he prefers.
Alex Pereira shaving his head before a fight, showcasing his practical pre-fight ritual
Beyond the simplicity of maintenance, Pereira’s head-shaving ritual has taken on a deeper meaning within his fight preparations. During the same video, Pereira’s coach offered an insightful perspective, elevating the act beyond mere grooming. Observing Pereira preparing for UFC 300, his coach likened the shaved head to a warrior’s ritualistic preparation for battle. He remarked, “From all cultures to paint the face, go to battle, do the ritual. That’s the combat, Alex Pereira. That is his version, the warrior version. Paint face for weigh-ins, shave head for fight.” This interpretation frames Pereira’s shaved head as a modern-day war paint, a symbolic act of transformation into his ‘warrior version’ before each fight. It signifies a mental and physical shedding of the everyday, stepping into the focused and determined mindset required for combat inside the octagon.
Interestingly, there’s a notable exception to Pereira’s bald fighting persona. Back in his early MMA career, before his UFC stardom, Pereira competed in Jungle Fight. Footage from his fight against Marcelo Cruz in 2016 reveals a different ‘Poatan’ – one with a full head of hair and even a beard. In this fight, a 28-year-old Pereira secured a first-round KO/TKO victory over Cruz while sporting his natural hairstyle. This glimpse into the past suggests that the head-shaving ritual is a practice Pereira adopted later in his career, possibly as he progressed and refined his pre-fight routines in organizations like the UFC.
Now, as Alex Pereira prepares for his rematch against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, the shaved head is back, signaling his readiness for another intense battle. This simple act, born from practicality, has evolved into a powerful pre-fight ritual, embodying both personal preference and a symbolic transformation into the warrior ‘Poatan’ that fans have come to know and respect. Whether it’s for ease or as a ritualistic preparation, Alex Pereira’s shaved head has undoubtedly become an iconic part of his fighting identity.
