What is Alex Pereira’s Tribe & Ethnicity? All About the UFC Champ’s Heritage

Arguably the biggest superstar in the UFC today, Alex Pereira has done what many couldn’t do in their entire careers. Almost four years since his 2021 UFC debut, Pereira has been able to capture two titles in the organization. With three title defenses in the books, the Brazilian star is looking to add another when he puts his light heavyweight title up for grabs at UFC 313 against his toughest challenge—at least on paper—against Magomed Ankalaev.

For a long time now, fans have been curious to know more about Alex Pereira’s background and native roots, and let us tell you, he has a rich cultural heritage. Here is everything we know about his ethnicity.

Where is Alex Pereira from? Ethnicity & nationality

Alex Pereira was born and brought up in Brazil and he holds citizenship in that country. When we take a look at his ethnic roots, the light heavyweight champion belongs to the Pataxó tribe. The native tribe has a population of a little less than 12,000 in the Bahia region, Brazil. Also, the tribe used to speak the now-extinct Pataxó language. Later on, a revitalized version, Patxohã, and Portuguese replaced the now-extinct language while retaining some of the Pataxó words.

Meanwhile, growing up, life was, by no means, easy for our resident 205-pound superstar. Alex Pereira had to drop out of school due to financial reasons, leading him to work as an assistant to a bricklayer, and then work at a tire shop, which was a rough phase in his life That would eventually lead to alcoholism for Alex Pereira, and he had been vocal about those tough times later when he became a UFC superstar.

However, things would turn around for the Brazilian ace, who’d get into martial arts and start kickboxing at the age of 21, and he always represented his roots every time he competed. But what’s the story behind his tribe? Let’s have a look at that front.

Which tribe does Alex Pereira belong to? Ancestry

The indigenous tribe of Pataxo consists of about 11,800 people, according to certain reports. They went through turmoil in the middle of the last century. Not only was the indigenous population’s region mainly converted into private farms, but they were also expelled from the forest. As a result, the larger society integrated them into their fold, and further, they lost their indigenous identity.

Furthermore, the fighter’s famous bow and arrow walkout ritual has a native connection. Talking to ESPN, the kickboxer-turned-MMA fighter once said, “I made a ritual with the bow and arrow. Then a sequence with the indigenous music and that’s how it started.” Thus, this signature entrance became his method of paying homage to his culture and family, as it made him more confident.

In the same segment, the former Glory champion revealed that his first kickboxing teacher had indigenous roots and further admitted that his grandparents were indigenous. Notably, the Sao Paulo fighter wants to help the ‘forgotten’ native population. Thus, he stated, “I want to make a name for myself and in the future use it to help the indigenous people… With that [UFC platform’s media advantage], I have the potential to really help the indigenous people.” Interestingly, Alex Pereira’s nickname also reflects his ethnicity.

Pereira’s nickname ‘Poatan’ connection to his ethnicity

Significantly, Pataxó also inspired the 37-year-old Alex Pereira’s nickname, ‘Poatan’. ‘Po’ in his native language translates to hands and ‘Atan’ is a stone equivalent—hence, giving Pereira an apt nickname. However, the Sao Paulo fighter paid tribute to the same with a tattoo of pebbles and rocks on his left hand.

Remarkably, during the pandemic, as the native population had trouble feeding themselves, Pereira left Sao Paulo and went to Porto Seguro to donate food for them. He’s done such acts for many communities, remembering the tough times he had to undergo through his younger years.

Meanwhile, things have changed for Alex Pereira’s tribe and their situation seems to be getting worse as their history has been ridden with sadness. Let’s take a look at that front.

The sad history of Alex Pereira’s ‘Pataxo’ tribe

The UFC champ’s ethnic community and every other indigenous community in Brazil had been riddled with tragic events for hundreds of years, with the Pataxo tribe being one of those tribes being subject to brutal treatment—slavery, disease, and genocide. Moreover, things got increasingly difficult for Alex Pereira’s tribe after they experienced violence and had their land snatched by outsiders. 

“That’s when they finally backed off because they came to kill us all,” a woman from the Pataxo tribe told Mongabay. The legal system also doesn’t seem to back them as a state judge of Bahia, the region in Brazil where they are based, rallied to evict them from their land. “We experience a lot of violence from the agribusiness on our land,” a Pataxo leader added.

With the people facing certain hurdles, Alex Pereira keeps doing his bit by giving back to the community. Regardless, what do you think of this dedication of ‘Poatan’ towards his community? Also, let us know your prediction for his fight against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313. How do you think it will go down? Let us know in the comments below.