Whether he’s landing left hooks in the Octagon or touring exotic destinations with coach Plinio Cruz, Alex Pereira knows how to keep fans talking. After losing his light heavyweight crown to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313, many expected Pereira to lay low. But instead, he did what he does best—stay active. And his latest move? A wild sidestep in the sacred Japanese dohyō that’s got the internet in stitches!
In an Instagram story on his official account, Pereira stepped into the sumo ring known as the dohyō. Across from him stood a mountain of a man. A sumo wrestler, trained in the ancient Japanese sport where size meets precision and strength, is a matter of tradition.
The moment of tachi-ai—that first, thunderous charge—was near. ‘Poatan’ and his opponent crouched, fists clenched, ready to clash. But then? The former light heavyweight champion swerved at the last second like a matador dodging a bull. With a cheeky smile on his face, Alex Pereira laughed off the moment and walked away.
Dating back over 1,500 years, sumo began as a sacred ceremony to entertain the gods and ensure a good harvest. Over time, it evolved into Japan’s national sport, but the core customs remain untouched. From the salt-throwing purification ritual to the ceremonial stomps meant to ward off evil spirits, every movement inside the dohyō carries spiritual weight.
The rikishi, or sumo wrestlers, aren’t just athletes—they’re living symbols of tradition, discipline, and cultural pride. The ‘dodge’ at the last second might be a nod of respect from Alex Pereira to honor the arena steeped in history that he was stepping into. Still, it fits the Pereira brand perfectly. Unpredictable. And always ready to entertain. Which brings us to UFC 315.
While the UFC and Dana White scramble to pump life into the lukewarm reception for the UFC 315 card, Pereira has once again offered his star power to the promotion. He may not be fighting, but he’ll be there, front and center, shaking hands, taking selfies, and repping the brand in the VIP lounge. “Exchanging left hooks for high fives,” the official On Location post teased. And fans? They felt the misdirection.
“All I saw was UFC, some numbers, and his name, and nearly had a heart attack,” one fan confessed.
That’s the kind of name value Pereira brings. It’s also why, even without a belt around his waist, he’s still UFC royalty. Yet, according to the UFC boss, there’s one fight that may have slipped through his fingers after his heartbreaking loss to Magomed Ankalaev!
Alex Pereira’s heavyweight dreams put on ice by Dana White despite his unmatched star power
The dream was alive for a while. Alex Pereira versus Jon Jones. A storm of power versus the most strategic mind in MMA. Fans were already sketching posters in their heads. But dreams can be fragile. And in the wake of UFC 313, this one seems to have shattered.
The unanimous decision loss didn’t just cost him his light heavyweight crown—it may have cost him the fight of a lifetime. Leading up to UFC 309, Bones had publicly angled for Pereira, pushing hard to make the fight happen. But then came UFC 313—and everything changed.
At the post-fight press conference, Dana White didn’t sugarcoat it as he confessed, “When you’re trying to ask a guy to move up two weight classes to heavyweight and take on the greatest of all time, there’s still tough guys to fight in the light heavyweight division. I believe in moving up after you clean out divisions. And this division wasn’t cleaned out yet.”
So where does that leave ‘Poatan’? No belt. No Jon Jones super-fight. And yet, still front and center in the UFC spotlight. Only Alex Pereira could lose a title, dodge a sumo charge, and still dominate headlines. And maybe that’s the point. In a sport built on grit, Pereira is something rarer—a showman. The belt may be gone, but the aura? Untouched!
Do you think Dana White will let Alex Pereira move up to heavyweight without re-matching Magomed Ankalaev? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below!
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