Alex Pereira: From Tire Shop Worker to UFC Champion
Alex Pereira, the UFC middleweight champion, will defend his title against Israel Adesanya in UFC 287 in Miami. Pereira’s journey to the top of the world was not easy. As a youngster working in a tire shop, he was dragged into a world of alcohol and disappointment. However, he realized that becoming an athlete could change his life. He had no talent for soccer, Brazil’s most popular sport, and the No. 1 career path in the dreams of millions of kids in the country. Growing up in a difficult environment, often getting involved in street fights, it felt natural for Pereira to seek out a martial arts gym.
The Journey to Becoming a Champion
Wilson Nunes, otherwise known as « Ninja, » was Pereira’s first trainer. He saw so much potential in Pereira that he realized the young fighter needed a more experienced coach. Ninja sought out Belocqua Wera, one of the top kickboxing masters in São Bernardo do Campo, telling him, « this guy has talent and can become a champion. » Wera remembers responding that he didn’t want to waste his time on a newcomer. But eventually, he conceded. Pereira showed up in his gym one day for a test, and Wera matched him against one of his best proteges. Pereira just liked fighting, and he had no idea of how big things were in the kickboxing world.
The Unique Striking Style of Alex Pereira
Pereira’s unique striking style is still the one he learned in São Bernardo do Campo, Wera says. The coach calls it « jaguar style, » a variation of traditional strikes with different body angles while having both feet still planted on the ground. Wera says Pereira « used that in the end » of the first UFC clash with Israel Adesanya in November, knocking out the middleweight champion at Madison Square Garden for an epic fifth-round comeback. Pereira and Adesanya meet again Saturday at UFC 287, headlining a pay-per-view card in Miami, and Wera is confident.
Conclusion
Alex Pereira’s journey to becoming a UFC champion was not easy. He had to overcome his humble background, alcohol addiction, and racism. However, he found his passion in martial arts and kickboxing, and with the help of his coach, Belocqua Wera, he became a champion. Pereira’s unique striking style, known as « jaguar style, » has helped him win many fights, including his first UFC clash with Israel Adesanya. As he prepares to defend his title against Adesanya again, Wera is confident that Pereira will come out on top if he fights aggressively and uses his kickboxing style.
