Alex Pereira Net Worth

What Is Alex Pereira's Net Worth?

Alex Pereira is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former professional kickboxer who has a net worth of $8 million.

Nicknamed "Poatan," or "Stone Hands," Pereira became one of the UFC's biggest stars after making one of the fastest championship ascents in the promotion's history. Remarkably, he did so after already establishing himself as one of the world's best kickboxers.

Pereira is a former UFC middleweight champion and two-time UFC light heavyweight champion. Before entering the UFC, he became the first fighter in Glory Kickboxing history to simultaneously hold championships in two weight classes. His rivalry with Israel Adesanya followed him from kickboxing into MMA and helped turn Pereira into an international star. He defeated Adesanya to win the UFC middleweight championship in 2022, moved up in weight after losing the rematch, and captured the light heavyweight title less than a year later.

Pereira subsequently became one of the UFC's most dependable pay-per-view headliners, defending the light heavyweight championship three times during 2024. After losing the belt to Magomed Ankalaev in 2025, he regained it with a first-round stoppage in their rematch. Pereira later vacated the championship to move to heavyweight, where he attempted to become the first fighter in UFC history to win titles in three weight classes.

Early Life

Alex Sandro Silva Pereira was born on July 7, 1987, in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Pereira left school when he was young and began working in a tire shop at the age of 12. The environment exposed him to alcohol at an early age, and he eventually developed a serious drinking problem.

He began training in kickboxing in 2009, initially as a way to improve his life and stop drinking. Pereira later described going through alcohol withdrawal after deciding to quit. Fighting gradually transformed from a method of getting sober into a professional career.

His first kickboxing coach gave him the nickname "Poatan," a word derived from the Tupi language that is generally translated as "Stone Hands."

Kickboxing Career

Pereira developed into an elite kickboxer despite beginning serious training relatively late.

He eventually joined Glory Kickboxing and captured the Glory middleweight championship in 2017 by defeating Simon Marcus. Pereira successfully defended the belt multiple times and became particularly famous for his punching power.

In 2019, he captured the interim Glory light heavyweight championship, making him the first fighter in the organization's history to simultaneously hold belts in two divisions. He later became the undisputed light heavyweight champion.

Pereira finished his professional kickboxing career with a 33-7 record and 21 knockouts. Glory inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2023.

His kickboxing career also produced the rivalry that would eventually transform his UFC career. Pereira defeated future UFC champion Israel Adesanya twice in kickboxing, including once by knockout.

(Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)

UFC Career

Pereira made his UFC debut in November 2021, defeating Andreas Michailidis by second-round knockout.

His rise was extraordinarily fast. After defeating Bruno Silva and knocking out Sean Strickland, Pereira received a UFC middleweight championship opportunity against Israel Adesanya in November 2022.

Adesanya was ahead on the scorecards entering the fifth round, but Pereira hurt him with punches and forced a stoppage to become UFC middleweight champion in only his fourth UFC fight.

Adesanya won their rematch by knockout in April 2023. Pereira subsequently moved from middleweight to light heavyweight.

After defeating former champion Jan Błachowicz, Pereira faced Jiří Procházka for the vacant light heavyweight championship at UFC 295. He stopped Procházka in the second round, becoming a UFC champion in a second weight class less than two years after making his promotional debut.

Light Heavyweight Championship Run

Pereira's popularity exploded during 2024.

At UFC 300, he knocked out former champion Jamahal Hill in the first round. Less than three months later, Pereira accepted a rematch with Procházka on short notice at UFC 303 and knocked him out early in the second round.

He returned again in October 2024 and stopped Khalil Rountree Jr. in the fourth round at UFC 307. Pereira had successfully defended his championship three times in approximately six months, with all three victories coming by knockout or technical knockout.

Magomed Ankalaev defeated Pereira by unanimous decision at UFC 313 in March 2025, ending his first light heavyweight reign.

Seven months later, Pereira received an immediate rematch at UFC 320. This time, he overwhelmed Ankalaev almost immediately, finishing him just 80 seconds into the first round and becoming a two-time light heavyweight champion.

Move to Heavyweight

Pereira eventually gave up the light heavyweight championship to pursue an unprecedented third UFC title.

He made his heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250 in June 2026, with the interim UFC heavyweight championship at stake. A victory would have made Pereira the first fighter to win UFC championships in three different weight divisions.

Gane stopped Pereira in the second round. Pereira subsequently indicated that he planned to remain at heavyweight and continue pursuing the division's championship rather than cutting back down to 205 pounds.

Salary and Career Earnings

Pereira's UFC success dramatically changed his finances. When he first arrived in Connecticut to train with former UFC champion Glover Teixeira, Pereira initially lived with Teixeira and later shared housing with teammates.

Within several years, he had become one of the UFC's highest-paid active fighters.

UFC fighter compensation is generally not publicly disclosed in full, particularly the pay-per-view bonuses received by champions and major headliners. Industry estimates have placed several of Pereira's biggest championship-fight paydays in the range of $2 million to more than $3 million once guaranteed purse, pay-per-view participation, sponsorship payments, and other bonuses are included.

His 2024 championship run alone consisted of three major pay-per-view main events. He followed those fights with two Ankalaev championship bouts in 2025 and the high-profile heavyweight fight against Gane in 2026.

Pereira also earns money through sponsorships and endorsements. His commercial partners have included Stake and Roobet, along with apparel, gaming, fitness, and combat-sports brands.

Real Estate and Cars

Pereira settled in Danbury, Connecticut, after moving to the United States to train with Glover Teixeira. After initially living with Teixeira and teammates, he eventually purchased his own home in the area.

His growing wealth has also allowed him to build a collection of luxury vehicles. Pereira has owned a Lamborghini Huracán Performante valued at roughly $275,000, along with a Chevrolet Corvette and Range Rover.

Personal Life and Charity

Pereira has two sons from a previous marriage. His younger sister, Aline Pereira, is also a professional combat-sports athlete.

In 2024, Pereira founded the Instituto Poatan in São Paulo. The organization provides programs for disadvantaged children including tutoring, English lessons, computer literacy, nutrition education, and martial arts training.

More than 500 young people enrolled in its programs during its first years. In 2026, the UFC selected Pereira to receive the Forrest Griffin Community Award in recognition of his charitable work.

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