‘Poatan’ Donates Truckload Of Food To Hometown Families

UFC cameras followed the light heavyweight champion back to Sao Paulo, Brazil where he used the money from his fights to help his hometown community.

Alex Pereira continues to be one of the most awesome fighters in MMA, both inside and outside of the cage.

In a clip from the just-released UFC 307 Countdown show promoting his fight against Khalil Rountree Jr. on October 5th in Salt Lake City, Pereira returned to his hometown in Sao Bernardo do Campo to oversee a food delivery for families in need. It’s by no means a one-time thing. Pereira has been giving back to his community regularly since making millions in the UFC.

“I’ve been blessed and I want to share those blessings with you,” Pereira said over a microphone to an assembled crowd as the food is being handed out. “The cameras are here not for me to show off but to encourage people to donate to those in need. I think we can make a difference not only in your lives but in the lives of many others.”

“This is where I was born and raised,” he said to the UFC 307 Countdown crew. “We’re going to give away over a thousand [food] boxes, helping over a thousand families. It’s been something I’ve been doing for a while. My reality used to be theirs. I went through a lot of hardship, and my biggest fear was always being hungry. So if I can do something to help, I’ll do it.”

Pereira’s rags to riches story is something to behold. “Poatan” worked long hours for years at a local tire shop, to the point that you can see him in the background of Google Maps images of the business. He battled alcoholism and escaped the favelas, rising up to become a two-division GLORY kickboxing champion and now two-division UFC champion.

“I think my story has a huge global impact,” he said. “Today, I can see that. Obviously, people from the favelas know how hard their lives are, and they’re like, ‘This guy came from nothing and has won it all. He got where he is and is conquering the world.’”

“What I usually say is that it isn’t impossible. It’s very tough. I know how hard it is. I’ve been through a lot. But I’ve overcome everything with dedication and heart. I think that made a big difference.”

Pereira is looking to defend his light heavyweight title for the third time since winning the vacant title in November 2023. He’s made a lot of money by being the UFC’s go-to guy to save events, stepping in at UFC 295 when Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fell through due to a Jones injury. They tapped him to headline UFC 300 and he delivered in his fight against Jamahal Hill. After Conor McGregor withdrew from UFC 303, the promotion once again called on Pereira.

Now Pereira is using the money he’s made to give back to his community, proving he’s a champion in more than just fighting.