The popular UFC ‘Embedded’ fight week video series features Alex Pereira celebrating his induction into the GLORY Hall of Fame. The UFC 295 Embedded video series follows the four featured fighters – co-main eventers Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall and main eventers Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka. In the second episode, Periera, with his sons and coach Glover Teixeira, watches himself earn the GLORY Hall of Fame 2023 induction.
Alex Pereira has been inducted into the Glory Kickboxing Hall of Fame. Congratulations to the former Middleweight and Light-Heavyweight Champion pic.twitter.com/E8vvbAu9uk
— Alex Pereira Enthusiast (@Hyatt4OROY) November 4, 2023
Pereira had an extremely difficult life in Brazil. He had dropped out of school to work in a tire shop. He later became an alcoholic due to some bad influences. ‘Poatan’ picked up kickboxing to tackle his alcohol addiction. His will and determination paid him dividends.
He kept climbing the ranks in kickboxing and earned the GLORY Middleweight title in 2017. He defended his title five times. Pereira even became the first double-champ as he also triumphed in the Light Heavyweight title bout.
His career in GLORY kickboxing ended at GLORY 78 with a loss in his first Light Heavyweight title defense against former champion Artem Vakhitov. Notably, he defeated current UFC fighter Israel Adesanya twice during their kickboxing days.
Alex Pereira gets emotional watching himself being inducted into the Glory Hall of Fame pic.twitter.com/jOM1jm5HAV
— ᴍᴍᴀ ᴍᴀʀᴄᴜs 🏝️ (@mmamarcuss) November 7, 2023
On earning the Hall of Fame induction, even the most stoic Pereira got emotional. He said, “Today, they will make an announcement. I am the third person to be nominated and I am honored to be part of the GLORY Hall of Fame 2023. It’s a very special achievement for everyone dedicated to kickboxing. I also acknowledge all Brazilians who join this war and show their grit.”
Currently, Pereira, a former UFC Middleweight champion, is preparing to join a short list of two-division champions in UFC. He faces Jiri Prochazka for the UFC Light Heavyweight title at UFC 295.
GLORY co-founder claims Alex Pereira was one of the greatest champions in their history
In a recent press release, Scott Rudmann, co-founder of GLORY expressed immense happiness for how Pereira’s career has proceeded. He said, “Alex Pereira was one of the greatest champions in GLORY history… His accomplishments in the GLORY ring speaks for themselves, as the only man ever hold the champions belt in two weight classes simultaneously.
“Alex continues to make huge waves in combat sports with his successful shift to MMA, and he continues to bring awareness back to the stand-up combat. He devotes time and money to community service in his home country of Brazil, and he is a wonderful guy, always humble about his enormous accomplishments. We’re proud to have in the GLORY Hall of Fame.”
Alex Pereira literally Came out of Nowhere
Beat Izzy, became the Middleweight champion.
Moved up to light heavyweight, beat jan.
All under 3 years. #AlexPereira pic.twitter.com/9ufZMPov4c— OCTAGONJUNKIE🥷 (@OctagonjunkieX) November 6, 2023
Pereira defeated Adesanya at UFC 281 to win the UFC Middleweight title. However, he lost it in his first defense against Adesanya at UFC 287. The Brazilian moved to Light Heavyweight and faced Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291 in July. Pereira won the bout via a split decision.
On the other hand, Prochazka defeated Pereira’s coach Teixeira in his last fight in June 2022. The Czech fighter was set to defend his title in December 2022 but suffered an injury. He vacated the title and is now back to earn it again.