Alex Pereira, the former UFC middleweight champion, made waves in the MMA world with his meteoric rise, stunning power, and his ability to finish opponents with brutal precision. Known for his striking and feared for his knockout abilities, Pereira captured the attention of fans and analysts alike, especially after dethroning Israel Adesanya to claim the middleweight title. However, his journey in the UFC has been anything but smooth sailing, with several twists and turns in his career, leading to the question: What happened to Alex Pereira?

The Meteoric Rise

Before diving into what has happened to Pereira, it’s worth acknowledging the impressive trajectory of his career.

Alex Pereira made his mark on the global MMA stage largely because of his striking background in kickboxing, where he was already a star. As a two-division Glory Kickboxing champion, Pereira entered MMA with a reputation for lethal knockout power, and he quickly made his mark in the UFC.

His biggest claim to fame in MMA came when he knocked out Israel Adesanya at UFC 281 in November 2022, capturing the middleweight title in a stunning upset. The fight was particularly significant because Adesanya had previously defeated Pereira twice in kickboxing, making their MMA bout a captivating narrative of redemption and rivalry. The knockout, coming in the fifth round, cemented Pereira’s legacy in the sport and secured his spot as one of the most feared strikers in MMA.

The Challenges of Transitioning to MMA

Despite his early success, Pereira’s transition from kickboxing to MMA hasn’t been without its challenges. While his striking was undeniably top-tier, MMA is a more well-rounded sport, requiring skills in grappling, wrestling, and cardio that go beyond what’s needed in kickboxing.

In his UFC career, Pereira faced some issues with his overall MMA game. While his power was undeniable, his ground game was still a work in progress. This was evident in his fight against Jan Błachowicz at UFC 295. Pereira faced a much stronger, well-rounded opponent in the former light heavyweight champion, and Błachowicz used his grappling skills to neutralize Pereira’s striking power. Pereira struggled to find his rhythm and had difficulty defending against the wrestling-heavy approach.

That loss was significant for Pereira, not just because it was his first loss in MMA, but because it raised serious questions about his adaptability. Despite his knockout power, his lack of experience in grappling-heavy fights became apparent, and his UFC future was suddenly less certain.

The Decision to Move Up to Light Heavyweight

After the loss to Adesanya in their rematch, Pereira made the decision to move up to light heavyweight, leaving the middleweight title behind in search of new challenges. The transition was seen as a way for Pereira to avoid making another title defense against Adesanya, who was still a dominant force at 185 pounds. The move also allowed him to compete against larger, more powerful opponents who weren’t necessarily as focused on wrestling and grappling, areas where Pereira had been exposed.

Pereira’s move to the light heavyweight division was initially met with curiosity—could a fighter with a striking-focused game thrive at 205 pounds? Many analysts were skeptical, questioning whether he could handle the larger, stronger fighters in the division who might exploit his weaknesses.

Struggles in the Light Heavyweight Division

Since moving up, Pereira has faced tough competition in the light heavyweight division, but his performances have been somewhat underwhelming. His fight against Jan Błachowicz at UFC 295 was a pivotal moment in his UFC journey. Pereira, known for his devastating knockouts, struggled with the former light heavyweight champion’s pressure and wrestling. Despite managing to land some solid strikes, Pereira couldn’t stop Błachowicz from taking the fight to the ground, where he was controlled for significant periods.

The loss to Błachowicz marked Pereira’s second consecutive defeat, and it raised questions about whether his striking-heavy approach could succeed at 205 pounds. While Pereira’s knockout power is still a dangerous weapon, the question now is whether his weaknesses in grappling, wrestling, and his overall adaptability to different fighting styles will hold him back at the highest levels of the UFC.

What’s Next for Pereira?

After suffering two tough losses in a row, the big question now is: What’s next for Alex Pereira? Is the Brazilian fighter’s run in the UFC over, or does he still have the tools to bounce back and reclaim his spot at the top of the division?

1. Focus on Striking and Cardio: To thrive at light heavyweight, Pereira will likely need to focus on improving his cardio and becoming more well-rounded in his approach. His knockout power is still one of his greatest assets, but he must figure out how to maintain distance against fighters who will try to take him down or pressure him against the cage. Training with top grapplers and improving his ability to scramble and defend against takedowns will be critical for his long-term success.

2. A Potential Return to Middleweight: There is always the possibility that Pereira could decide to move back down to middleweight if the light heavyweight division proves too difficult. With his size and strength, Pereira would still be a top contender in the 185-pound division. However, this would involve a major decision on whether to confront his old rival Israel Adesanya once again, or move on to a new set of contenders.

3. Continued Development: The UFC is a sport that rewards fighters who evolve and grow, and Pereira’s work with top coaches could allow him to fine-tune his weaknesses and become a more complete fighter. While he’s primarily known for his striking, incorporating more wrestling and grappling could make him a more dangerous threat in all areas.

Conclusion: A Fighter at a Crossroads

In many ways, Alex Pereira is at a crossroads in his MMA career. After an electrifying rise that saw him claim the UFC middleweight title and beat one of the greatest fighters of all time in Israel Adesanya, Pereira now faces an uncertain future after two tough losses. His striking is still among the best in the sport, but his struggles against top-level grapplers and wrestlers have been exposed.

Whether Pereira can bounce back and prove that he belongs at the top of the division or whether his career trajectory will shift remains to be seen. He has the potential to make adjustments and become a more well-rounded fighter, but for now, the MMA world is watching closely to see what happens next for Alex Pereira.