When Pataxó tribe chieftain predicted historic UFC feat for Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira's success in the UFC octagon was once predicted by the Pataxó tribe chieftain. The Pataxó tribe are a group of indigenous people in Bahia, Brazil that Pereira also belongs to.

Back in 2014, before his MMA career began, Pereira was a professional kickboxer in Brazil. Belocqua Wera, who was his coach at the time, took 'Poatan' to Bahia in order to meet the tribe and embrace his heritage. Pereira was soon introduced to Ubiranan, the leader of the Pataxó people, and from that day he vowed to help and represent the indigenous community through his fighting.

In every professional kickboxing or MMA fight since, Alex Pereira has either worn clothing or donned face paint that represents the tribe. Ubiranan even helped to customize Pereira's panache for his UFC 300 bout against Jamahal Hill. He spoke to MMA Fighting before the 37-year-old headlined the historic card back in April.

According to Ubiranan, when he first met Pereira, he told him he would become a champion of the UFC. The Pataxó chieftain also took it a step further, stating that he believes Pereira is destined to become the heavyweight champion too. He said:

“When we met I told him he would become world champion, and the whole country would know him. He has the support of every indigenous. We are more than 300 indigenous groups and almost a million indigenous men and women. Every tribe knows him...He’s always going to be a great champion. Middleweight, light heavyweight, and I believe he can become heavyweight champion, too." [H/t MMA Fighting]

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Alexander Volkanovski unsure if Alex Pereira should win Fighter of the Year

Prior to UFC 308 earlier this month, Alexander Volkanovski believed Alex Pereira was guaranteed to win Fighter of the Year award. Now, however, following Ilia Topuria's knockout win over Max Holloway, the Australian is no longer sure.

'El Matador' has fought twice in 2024, first winning the featherweight title by knocking out Volkanovski back in February, and now defending it by becoming the first man to KO Holloway in his professional career.

In comparison, 'Poatan' has fought and won three times this year, successfully defending his light heavyweight title. Whilst it appeared the Brazilian was all but assuredly going to clinch the Fighter of the Year award, Volkanovski has weighed in.

Speaking to Ariel Helwani on his new show, 'The Great' was now leaning towards Topuria for the award. He explained:

"Put it this way, if it wasn't Alex Pereira saving cards and putting his belt on the line while saving cards, it would be clearly Ilia [Topuria]. Yeah you've had three defenses but the two that Ilia took out and finishing us both, it's hard to pick against Ilia to be honest."

Check out Alexander Volkanovski's comments here: