‘Like Newton’ – UFC’s Pereira ‘ahead of his time’

When Plinio Cruz is questioned about what distinguishes Alex Pereira from other fighters, he narrows his eyes and directs his gaze to the camera.

Pereira has a long-standing relationship with Cruz, who has remained close to his remarkable career.

Before responding, he raises his finger and reaches his head slowly.

This is an example, not to be compared to him, even though I’m not being cocky. Because he was in the know, Isaac Newton, according to Cruz, “many years ago, he had ideas that the church didn’t understand.”

“When I first started working with Alex in 2017, he used to tell me things that are just starting to come to mind.”

Because of how far ahead he sees the game, I was coaching him without fully comprehending what the meaning was behind it.

Because of that connection, I can now coach him much better. However, it took years for a connection to an ordinary fighter to form.

Brazilian kickboxing promotion Glory’s Pereira became a two-division world champion when he joined the UFC in 2021.

He won the middleweight and light-heavyweight belts and developed into one of the promotion’s biggest stars in the less than four years since his UFC debut.

The 38-year-old has a chance of winning, though his light-heavyweight title was slightly lost to Magomed Ankalaev from Russia in March.

Unheard of is the magnitude of Pereira’s accomplishments in the UFC before Ankalaev’s defeat.

The shortest UFC history victory came 736 days after his debut, making it the shortest two-division championship he had ever had.

Seven of Pereira’s nine organizational victories came by knockout, demonstrating his extraordinary striking prowess.

Cruz recalls the first time he experienced Pereira’s strength while sparring.

“It was shaking my brain,” Cruz says, “just the way he was jabbing, just the way he was touching.”

His punch is similar to the hardest punch of many guys. It’s frightening because he is so strong.

Pereira’s moniker “Poatan” is a nod to his fearsome strength and flawless technique because it comes from one of Brazil’s indigenous tribes’ languages.

“Poatan means stone hands,” according to Wikipedia. According to Pereira, “a stone is something strong, which is why I tattooed it on my hands, hands of stone.”

It means a lot to me to represent this indigenous background because of my ancestors, my grandparents, and the indigenous culture.

Before landing one of his first jobs working in a tire shop, Pereira was raised in a poor family in Brazil.

He had an alcohol problem there before turning to kickboxing in an effort to break his habit, which was influenced by his coworkers.

When I first began my training, I was unable to visualize success or even making a living from fighting, Pereira said.

Cruz describes the growth of the “humble” Pereira over the years as an “honor”.

Pereira’s stone-faced, emotionless stare-downs have occasionally had an impact on opponents before they even step foot inside the octagon, which has made him an intimidating opponent in the UFC.

When facing off against Jiri Prochazka once accused him of using “regimes, magic, and shamans,” Pereira honors his tribal ancestors by wearing face paint and a headdress.

Pereira is described by Cruz as being “introverted but a sweetheart.”

He appears to be much more loose in our inner circle. Yes, he is quiet, but Cruz claims that if he opens up, he is a sweetheart.

Pereira, who has used his platform as one of the biggest fighters in the UFC to connect with fans on social media through dance and meet-and-greets, has a star power that comes from his collection of highlight-reel knockouts.

Alex is a likeable person who not only delivers on the fighting, but he also has good manners. Cruz claimed that despite being a superstar, he lacks that superstar-like vibe that is impossible to replicate.

I believe people can relate to him because of his humble beginnings, which means everything.

Pereira defeated Prochazka to win the light-heavyweight title in 2023, making him the ninth fighter to win the division.

A record number also exists for the seven UFC fights he needed to win.

Whether or not Cruz regains his title from Ankalaev or not, Pereira’s standing among the all-time MMA greats is already established.