We are just moments away from witnessing Alex Pereira defend his light heavyweight title for the fourth time—against the #1-ranked Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313. With 12 career victories and 2 defeats, ‘Poatan’ has claimed wins over elite fighters such as Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, Jiří Procházka, Jamahal Hill, and many others. But what about his losses?

While one came at the hands of Israel Adesanya, who was responsible for his other MMA defeat?  Many within the community may not have an idea about the first fighter who handed a defeat to Alex Pereira and it’s palpable. Let us have a look at Pereira’s first nemesis and his first setback in MMA.

Many might think that Alex Pereira transitioned to MMA after his amazing run at Glory. However, the truth is that the fighter competed in an MMA fight back in 2015. ‘Poatan’ clashed against Quemuel Ottoni at Jungle Fight 82. Maybe Pereira’s experience was not enough for him to clinch victory at that time as he was defeated by Ottoni by way of a rear naked choke in round three. So, where is Quemuel Ottoni?

Well, unlike Alex Pereira, who climbed the ladders of success, Ottoni’s fall from grace was sad. The Brazilian fighter was supposed to face Kody Steele at the Dana White Contender Series last September. However, he pulled away from his fight at the very last moment. Reason? He didn’t feel like fighting anymore. Months later, Ottoni was handed an 18-month suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission after testing positive for clomiphene.

Clomiphene is a prohibited hormone and metabolic modulator banned at all times for athletes. The athlete tested positive in a routine checkup conducted under the state commission guidelines. His suspension will keep him out of competition until March 10, 2026. In addition to that the fighter will have to pay $471.12 in attorney fees and that must be paid before he can get a license again.

The commission further emphasized that if Ottoni wanted to compete again then he would have to test himself 30 days, 15 days, and 3 days before his fight. Interestingly, his withdrawal from the DWCS fight was bizarre, as nothing like this had ever happened before. How did Dana White react to it? Let’s find out.

Dana White remained calm as the man to defeat Alex Pereira withdrew from his fight

Back in September last year, at the Dana White Contender Series 71, Quemuel Ottoni was supposed to fight against Kody Steele for a chance to be on the grand stage of the UFC. However, just moments away from the fight, the Brazilian withdrew from the clash leaving the promotion, as well as his fans puzzled. With a career record of 12 victories and 3 defeats, Ottoni did have an amazing record but what forced him to pull out?

Dana White recalled the entire incident that unfolded that day, “Sean [Shelby] came busting in the back room and then went right in the back room and went somewhere… Apparently, he went to the locker room. He heard this kid was pulling out. He went back there and gave him a pep talk and the kid said, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah,’ and got his hands wrapped again. Then, halfway through the second fight, Sean got called again that he was pulling out. He rewrapped his hands and then said, ‘I’m out.'”

He further added that sometimes fighter lose their battle even before stepping inside the cage and Ottoni might have experienced that, “That’s what this show is for, too… Sometimes you don’t have to step into the Octagon to know, ‘This isn’t for me. I can’t take this. I can’t handle this pressure,’ whatever his deal was. I’m not sh*tting on the kid at all. Listen, it happens.”

It is quite a shame that we couldn’t witness Alex Pereira and Quemuel Ottoni inside the Octagon. Who knows maybe the story could have been repeated. Given that, what are your thoughts on Pereira’s first loss? State your opinions in the comments below.