UFC 303 is just a few hours away, and the fans are all excited about the event. One of the biggest attractions of the night is the light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira. Popularly known as ‘Poatan,’ Pereira will take on Jiri Prochazka for the second time in his career to defend his title. The pair previously met at UFC 295, where Pereira won the title by knocking out ‘Denisa’ in the second round.

The Brazilian has achieved massive success in the UFC in a concise span of time. However, more than his fighting, he gained much attention for his ‘bow and arrow’ walkout. But why does he do that? Let us find out.

Alex Pereira once revealed the reason behind his famous walkout

There are very few fighters in the UFC who have dominated their opponents like the way Pereira has done. Coming from a kickboxing background, the Brazilian is a former two-division champion in the sport. However, more than his fighting skills, his aura instills fear in the opponents. His walkout before the fight is one of the most intimidating scenes for his opponent, where he fires an arrow at the end.

However, he does that just to use it as an inspiration for his indigenous roots. In a YouTube video on the ESPN MMA channel last year, the Brazilian said, “When I first started to train in kickboxing, my first teacher had indigenous roots.” He further went on to add, “I went home the same day and asked my mom. She said my grandparents were indigenous.” This is where the Brazilian decided to use it in his fights just for his indigenous culture.

He said, “It made me feel more confident. We wanted to resurrect my origins and indigenous culture. I made a ritual with the bow and arrow. Then a sequence with the indigenous music and that’s how it started. Then I’m ready for battle.” Pereira is indeed ready and his record inside the Octagon is a testament to that.

His next fight is a rematch of his UFC 295 clash with ‘Denisa’. Both fighters agreed to take on each other in a last-minute notice after the UFC had to change the main event. The former champion had a tough encounter with the Brazilian when they met at UFC 295. However, the real reason for his loss was something else, and not just fighting skills.

Jiri Prochazka accused Alex Pereira of using shamanic rituals during his fight

Jiri Prochazka is one of the most spiritual fighters around in the UFC currently. The former champion is known for undergoing some unusual practices before any of his fights. However, he feels Pereira also does the same. Before his clash while speaking to ‘The MMA Hour’, he accused the Brazilian of using shamanic rituals before entering the Octagon.

He said, “Yes everybody knows that he is doing these rituals ahead of his fight everybody can feel that what’s around him and what’s going on Alex can’t fight without that. That something that he’s been using normally in fights.” Prochazka then challenged the Brazilian to fight him without the interference of any supernatural power. However, the champion is unfazed by the claims and has an answer for it as well.

According to ‘Poatan’, people are more than just flesh and bones and everyone has a spiritual connection. He was quick to mock the challenger saying, “Well, everybody have their own spirits. We’re not only made of flesh and bone. I have found mine. If he did not found his or if he does not believe, it’s not my fault.” 

What are your thoughts about the accusations made by ‘Denisa’ on Pereira? Let us know in the comments below.