GLORY Kickboxing champion Alex Pereira expected to pen multi-fight UFC deal following upcoming title defense

Reigning GLORY Kickboxing light heavyweight gold holder, Alex ‘Po Atan’ Pereira is expected to sign a multi-fight deal with the UFC, focusing solely on professional mixed martial arts following this weekend’s championship defense against Artem Vakhitov at GLORY 78: Rotterdam this weekend, according to a report from Dutch newspaper, De Telegraaf. (H/T Marcel Dorff)

Pereira, 34, boasts an impressive 33-6 professional record, and is the current GLORY Kickboxing light heavyweight champion, as well as the former undisputed middleweight titleholder. 

The Sao-Paulo-born striker currently holds a 3-1 professional mixed martial arts record, having last featured under the LFA banner back in November of last year — stopping Thomas Powell with a knockout inside four minutes of the opening round.

Pereira was originally expected to feature on Dana White’s Contender Series back in 2018 — however, contractural obligations to GLORY Kickboxing prevented the Brazilian from competing opposite slated opponent, Diego Henrique da Silva. 

Touted as one of the most dangerous and devastating kickboxers competing today, Pereira is in the midst of a nine-fight undefeated streak, which includes victories over the likes of upcoming foe, Vakhitov, Jason Wilnis, Simon Marcus (x2), and two-time opponent, Yousri Belgaroui. From his 33 professional wins, Pereira has stopped 21 opponents. 

Pereira’s long-time rumored move to the UFC has garnered sizeable interest, given the fact the 34-year-old holds two kickboxing victories over current undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya — the first of which came with a close unanimous decision win, while the second of which came with a massive rallying knockout win over the City Kickboxing counter striker. 

Pereira is also the sole competitor in combat sports to stop the aforenoted, Adesanya — with reigning light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz defeating the Nigerian-Kiwi in a unanimous decision win at UFC 259 back in March, handing him his first professional mixed martial arts loss. 

At the time of publication, a potential debut opponent for Pereira’s expected Octagon bow has yet to be determined, whilst an event for the Brazilian’s landing-pad has also yet to be announced. 

Ross Markey

Senior writer for FightBook MMA. An aspiring mixed martial arts reporter based in Ireland. Producer of news articles, interviews, opinion features, and exclusive features such as, ‘The Fallout’, ‘The Breakdown, and, ‘This Week In MMA’.