Alex Pereira has been making headlines in early 2026, but not for anything he has done inside the Octagon.
Late last year, Pereira, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, expressed his desire to fight at the UFC White House event scheduled for June.
However, long before the calendar turned over to 2026, ‘Poatan’ confirmed that after discussions with the organisation, it is unlikely he will be part of that historic card.
In spite of this, it has not stopped him from dominating the conversation outside of competition as he enters another year as one of MMA’s biggest stars.
Alex Pereira surprises his dad with a meaningful gift
When the new year arrived, Pereira and fellow UFC fighter Tracy Cortez decided to go public with their relationship, posting photos and videos together online for the first time.
Their decision quickly became a talking point across MMA circles, giving fans a rare glimpse into Pereira’s private life.
Shortly after going public with Cortez, Pereira posted another personal moment on social media last Monday. This time, it was a video of him surprising his father with a special gift.
“Very happy to be able to present my dad with this gift, he deserves it a lot because he gave up his own things to raise seven children. Thank you Dad,” Pereira wrote alongside the video showing him handing over the keys to a brand new golf cart.
Pereira rarely shares details about his personal life, but last year he did post photos of the new house he bought for his parents following his continued success in the UFC.
Questions remain over Alex Pereira’s return to the UFC Octagon
Right now, there is still no clear indication of when the 38-year-old will be back in the cage.
Pereira is still hoping for a blockbuster heavyweight bout with Jon Jones, but talks around that fight seem to have quietened down.
He is sidelined with a broken foot, but it is uncertain if that injury or another issue is the reason for his absence.
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