“He [Alex Pereira] shows up at every UFC event for free alcohol and camera time, while I’ve been training non-stop. March 8, alcohol won’t help you.” Magomed Ankalaev wrote on X, throwing a jab at his upcoming opponent, the reigning 205lbs champion, Alex Pereira. The two will face off tomorrow inside the T-Mobile Arena at UFC 313, marking the Brazilian’s fourth title defense. Just days before the fight, Ankalaev brought up Pereira’s past, adding another interesting layer to the duo’s storied rivalry.

The Dagestani’s daring comments seem to cast doubt on Pereira’s impressive reputation, which he built in less than four years with 10 Octagon appearances and three successful title defenses in the 205lbs division. Let’s take a closer look at the struggles ‘Poatan’ faced with alcoholism and how he overcame them to reach the pinnacle of MMA.

Throwback: When Alex Pereira reflected on his past struggles with alcohol

Alex Pereira‘s childhood was far from ordinary. At just 12 years old, the Brazilian had to leave school to assist his father, working as a bricklayer’s helper to support his family. This obligation so early in his life eventually led Pereira to work at a tire shop in his neighborhood, where the negative influence of his coworkers pushed him toward alcohol, particularly iced cachaças. He consumed it as casually as others drank water, adhering to a stringent daily routine.

By the time he was 16, he had become heavily addicted. In a 2021 interview with Brazilian MMA Legends, Alex Pereira sat with fellow Brazilian legend and former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum and reflected on his struggle with addiction: “At that time…I used to drink almost 1 liter a day. I already had a kind of, I don’t know if it’s the right name, a ritual. Until 12 pm, I used to drink 3 cachaças—one at 10 am, one at 11 am, and another one at noon. I already had a schedule.”

However, by 21, the Brazilian knew it was time to turn his life around. In 2009, driven by a new mindset, he stepped into a kickboxing gym to improve his health and shift his focus from alcohol to fitness. Despite this, giving up on alcohol was not easy. For the first four years of his professional career, he continued battling it, which ultimately made him realize that it was an “addiction” and pushed him to make a meaningful change in his life.

Alex Pereira delivered a striking response to Magomed Ankalaev

In the lead-up to his UFC 313 clash with Alex Pereira, Magomed Ankalaev has adopted a ‘bad boy’ persona, a departure from the typical respectful demeanor of Dagestani fighters. This aggressive shift began in 2022 at UFC 282, where his title aspirations were dashed by a draw against former champ Jan Blachowicz. Now, eager to seize the light heavyweight belt from the Brazilian, Ankalaev is utilizing mental warfare, calling attention to ‘Poatan’s past struggles with alcoholism.

Despite Ankalaev’s attempts to provoke him, Pereira has made it clear that his desire to overcome his addiction motivated his entry into the fight game. In a recent YouTube video, Pereira addressed Ankalaev’s derogatory remarks, saying, “He is playing with the feelings of the fans and the people who go through that. Don’t even pay attention to what he says. The thing he said most was about the alcohol. I don’t have that feeling just for me because I know the pain of the people. He is playing with the feelings of the fans, feelings of the people who go through that.”

What do you think of Alex Pereira’s incredible journey, from battling alcoholism to becoming a kickboxing champion and now competing in MMA? Do you believe ‘Poatan’ can halt the momentum of Magomed Ankalaev, who brings a more versatile skill set to the upcoming fight? Share your thoughts and predictions below.