Alex Pereira isn’t just a two-division UFC champion. He’s also one of the most recognizable Indigenous athletes in the world. Almost four years since his 2021 UFC debut, Pereira has captured two titles in the organization. Yet, behind the painted face and bow-and-arrow walkouts lies a story few truly know.

Come June 14, the Brazilian star is set to create history when he attempts to capture a title in the third weight class, fighting Ciryl Gane at the much-anticipated UFC Freedom 250. While he has often spoken proudly about his roots, questions remain: Was Pereira born into the tribe he represents? Or did his connection to the Pataxo people come later in life? Let’s break it down.

Where is Alex Pereira from and what is his nationality?

Alex Pereira is a Brazilian national, born and brought up in the Latin American country on July 7, 1987. Growing up, life was, by no means, easy for the future two-division UFC champion. 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.

This was a rough phase in his life that would eventually lead to alcoholism. But things soon changed after he started training at a kickboxing gym in 2009. He has since been vocal about those difficult years, often reflecting on them after becoming a UFC superstar.

What is Alex Pereira’s ethnicity?

Pereira traces his ethnic roots to the Pataxo people, an indigenous group from the Bahia region of Brazil with a population of fewer than 12,000. The community originally spoke the now-extinct Pataxo language. Later, a revitalized version called Pathoxa emerged, alongside Portuguese, though some original vocabulary was preserved.

The Pataxo people experienced significant disruption in the mid-20th century. Much of their traditional land was converted into private farmland, and many were forced out of forest areas. The displacement led to cultural loss and gradual integration into broader Brazilian society, which contributed to a weakening of indigenous identity in some communities.

Pereira’s connection to his heritage is also reflected in his public image. His signature bow-and-arrow walkout ritual, performed during his fight entrance, is inspired by indigenous symbolism and music. He has described it as a personal tribute to his background and family, as well as a way to build focus and confidence before fights.

The former Glory champion also 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. 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.

Significantly, Pataxo also inspired the 38-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 São Paulo fighter paid tribute to the same with a tattoo of pebbles and rocks on his left hand.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pereira traveled to regions such as Porto Seguro to donate food and support indigenous communities facing hardships. He has also taken part in similar efforts to help other communities, reflecting his broader interest in giving back.

Is Alex Pereira Christian?

While the subject is deeply personal to Pereira, it remains one that has attracted frequent debates. The confusion stems from the reports that date back to 2015, when it was claimed that Alex Pereira had embraced Islam. A video featuring the UFC champion taking the Shahada – the Islamic declaration of faith – deepened the belief about his conversion.

However, later reports began to surface suggesting that Pereira remained connected to his Christian roots. A cryptic post from fellow Brazilian MMA fighter Paulo Costa sent fans speculating about Pereira’s religious beliefs. “I saw news Ankalaev is in Ramadan during all this fight camp, so he can’t eat. Fun thing is Alex used to be Muslim, or still is, I don’t know. Maybe Alex wasn’t very much fasting adept. May Allah bless you all and bring a good fight,” Costa reportedly wrote.

Commenting on the post, a user stated, “Apparently he only did it out of respect for a coach he was working with at the time, also to help him quit drinking, but he isn’t Muslim, especially after reconnecting with his tribe, who are pagans.”

Amid growing skepticism surrounding his religious beliefs, Pereira took a major stance, making it clear that he’s not interested in talking about religion. “I’m not here to talk about religion. I have a lot of respect for that…I’m a champion of life and overcame alcoholism, but there’s a lot of people who didn’t, and their families struggle with it…I’m not here to talk about religion; I respect them all,” he said at a UFC media day.