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via Imago

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Alex Pereira is known for his stoic demeanor and his incredible knockout power. A combination that makes him one of the most feared fighters in the UFC. The former kickboxer will be facing off against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295. And the UFC light heavyweight title is on the line for this matchup between two of the most dangerous strikers in the promotion!

Despite Pereira’s inscrutable exterior, he still commands a large fan following. And recently, ahead of UFC 295, CEO Dana White revealed why Pereira is as popular as he is. His comments revealed an interesting aspect of what makes an MMA star. And his statement also includes a tip for aspiring fighters who might think twice about following in Conor McGregor’s footsteps!

Alex Pereira and the reason behind his popularity explained by Dana White

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Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka will headline UFC 295 replacing the Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic canceled bout. Jones was set to defend his heavyweight title against former champion Miocic in this event. But an injury sustained in training camp by Jones led to the fight falling through.

Pereira is looking to secure another title in a different weight class. This will allow him to secure his position in the short-list of UFC double champions. Despite his largely unemotional demeanor, Pereira has always been a must-watch fighter for any combat sports fan.


Recently, interviewers asked UFC CEO Dana White about his thoughts on the stardom achieved by Pereira. This question was addressed with characteristics like Pereira doesn’t speak English and is rarely seen smiling, in mind. White responded in his trademark fashion and stated, “ I think that he does have charisma, it’s different than everybody else’s. He is a mean-looking mother**ker.  He is a scary dude.”

White further went on to state that everybody should not “act like Conor McGregor” to gain fans and make a name for themselves in the UFC. White stated, “Should you be this, should you be that, no you should be you.”

The comments only underscore White’s belief that authenticity is one of the main attributes that allow fans to relate to a fighter. This in turn would lead to an increase in their popularity and star power. 

Meanwhile, Israel Adesanya, Pereira’s arch rival in kickboxing and MMA recently made an interesting statement concerning ‘Poatan’s move up to the light-heavyweight division!

Israel Adesanya wants other UFC middleweights to ‘thank’ him

Alex Pereira has moved up to the light heavyweight division after facing Israel Adesanya twice in the middleweight class. Pereira’s switch to 205 pounds comes following his loss to Adesanya at UFC 287 where he lost via knockout.
Nevertheless, Pereira has secured a title shot by defeating Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291. Now, he is poised to face Jiri Prochazka for the vacant light heavyweight title, aiming to solidify his legacy as one of the greatest combat sports athletes in history!


Adesanya expressed relief at getting Pereira out of the middleweight division, emphasizing the difficulty of facing him repeatedly. In a video on his YouTube channel, Adesanya stated, “These middleweights can get on their f**** knees and thank me because I got this man out of there. If not, you would have to deal with him over and over and over again.

Pereira had a 4-0 record at middleweight before his loss to Adesanya. Adesanya anticipates an intriguing and unorthodox fight between Pereira and Prochazka stating, “Five rounds? I don’t think so. Not with this one. Not at light heavyweight. It doesn’t go the distance.”

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Read More: Who Will Earn More at UFC 295 – Alex Pereira or Jiri Prochazka? Salary & Payout Comparison

As the anticipation builds for the showdown between Pereira and Prochazka, Adesanya predicts an intriguing and unorthodox fight. His statement, “It doesn’t go the distance,” sets the stage for an exciting clash that fight fans eagerly await in the light heavyweight landscape.

Do you think Alex Pereira will be able to knockout Jiri Prochazka or will he fall victim to Prochazka’s unorthodox style? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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