Is Alex Pereira the new face of the UFC? [Opinion]

Alex Pereira is one of many highly skilled MMA combatants who've graced the UFC's famed octagon and put on brilliant displays of their martial arts prowess. However, only a select few of these talented fighters achieved megastar status and were, in different periods, the face of the UFC.

Names like Royce Gracie, Chuck Liddell, Georges St-Pierre, Brock Lesnar, Jon Jones, Ronda Rousey, and Conor McGregor come to mind. For the past several years, combat sports icon McGregor has been beheld as the face of the UFC brand.

Unfortunately, the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion hasn't competed in the UFC since July 2021. McGregor was scheduled to make his return in a welterweight bout against Michael Chandler that was to headline UFC 303 (June 29, 2024). Rumors had lately swirled that he was dealing with an injury and that the fight was in jeopardy.

On June 13, it was revealed that McGregor was indeed injured and won't compete at UFC 303. Following that, UFC CEO Dana White announced that UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will face former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka in the new headlining match of UFC 303.

Pereira, in particular, has garnered widespread praise for taking the short-notice fight, as he'd defeated Prochazka via second-round TKO in their first encounter in Nov. 2023 but has still chosen to risk his championship status.

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Alex Pereira — New face of the UFC or a placeholder?

Alex Pereira is a former Glory kickboxing middleweight and light heavyweight champion, a former UFC middleweight champion, and the reigning UFC light heavyweight titlist. A part of the UFC since Nov. 2021, he's well-known for his charisma and sense of humor.

Be it his catchphrase, 'Chama,' or his multitude of talents, including his musical and hairstyling prowess, he possesses a unique aura. In addition, he holds victories over Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, Jan Blachowicz, Jiri Prochazka, and Jamahal Hill — all former UFC champions.

Pereira has both the accomplishments and personality to be the face of the UFC. That said, is he really the new face of the UFC? No. At least not yet.

With icons like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones still a part of the UFC roster — granted that they don't compete as frequently anymore — someone like Pereira has to rely more on his consistent performances and aura to connect with the fans. The English-speaking audience, which comprises the biggest revenue-garnering market for the UFC and other US-based combat sports organizations, still connects more with stars like McGregor and Jones.

That's not to say that they don't like Alex Pereira. He's widely revered, as evidenced by the reception for him during his recent seminar tour in Australia. Nevertheless, if we were to compare Pereira's star power to that of McGregor or Jones, the latter duo still outshine him when it comes to drawing the casual viewer to the UFC brand and the sport of MMA.

Presently, the UFC's face is still Conor McGregor, a person who's transcended the combat sports realm and become an icon in the broader popular culture dominion. Fighters like Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya, and former UFC stars like Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz too, come in at second and subsequent ranks in regard to star power.

With that being said, it's entirely possible that Alex Pereira could become the face of the UFC, especially with the uncertainty surrounding McGregor's comeback and the likelihood of Jones retiring after fighting Stipe Miocic this November. Perhaps a 'Poatan' heavyweight run could be that extra push that'll crown him the new face of the UFC.