The Scariest Fighter in the World: Alex Pereira’s Journey to UFC 313
Picture this: the scariest fighter in the world, Alex Pereira, is mashed into the side of the cage. It’s a scene that might make you think he’s trapped or exhausted, but don’t be fooled. This is just another day at the office for Pereira, who is preparing for his upcoming fight at UFC 313. As he spars at Teixeira MMA & Fitness in Connecticut, his calm demeanor is almost unsettling. His sparring partner is draped across his legs, trying to finish a double leg takedown, but Pereira remains still, coiled like a spring ready to explode.
In just a few days, Pereira will head to Las Vegas to defend his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev, a Russian star who hasn’t lost since March 2018. Pereira’s training regimen is intense, sparring for five five-minute rounds against fresh opponents to simulate the conditions of the Octagon. But what makes Pereira truly terrifying is his ability to remain calm and then unleash a sudden, violent burst of energy. It’s like watching a shark in the ocean, calm and mysterious until it strikes.
His coach, UFC legend Glover Teixeira, describes Pereira’s demeanor before a fight as if he’s just going to the grocery store. But when the moment comes, Pereira explodes with a flurry of punches and kicks that leave his opponents reeling. “Sometimes my power even scares me,” Pereira admits. He knows the damage he can inflict, and it’s a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly.
The Secret to Pereira’s Power
So, what makes Alex Pereira so powerful? Experts say it’s his ability to relax. On the surface, a punch is just a math problem: force equals mass times acceleration. But Dr. Peko Hosoi, a professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, explains that it’s about transferring momentum from your body to your opponent’s head. Dr. Stuart McGill, who has studied the science of punching power, agrees. He has found that the world’s most devastating knockout artists are often those who can stay loose and relaxed.
McGill explains that relaxation allows fighters to express the speed of their athleticism. It’s a concept that might seem counterintuitive, but it’s crucial for generating power. Bruce Lee once said, “Relax then focus all of the energy into the fist,” and McGill believes Pereira embodies this principle. Pereira’s ability to position his feet and align his body to direct force is what makes him so formidable.
Casual observers might mistake muscles for power, but McGill points out that raw strength doesn’t always translate to performance. He cites Brock Lesnar as an example of a strong human who lacked the technical skills to generate power. Instead, it’s fighters like Matt Brown, who McGill has worked with, that you have to fear. Brown credits McGill’s studies for his longevity in the UFC and his ability to deliver knockout blows.
Pereira’s Unique Background
When Pereira reflects on his power, he attributes it to technique and genetics. He’s a flawless striking technician, and his relaxed aura is critical to his power. But there’s another factor: his time working at a tire shop in Brazil. As a teenager, Pereira learned to generate power in bursts, a skill that translated to his fighting style. “I owe the tire shop a lot,” he says.
Pereira’s journey to the UFC is unique. He started training in boxing and kickboxing as an adult, and despite his age (37) and modest 12-2 MMA record, he’s been one of the busiest punchers in fighting since 2010. If he defeats Ankalaev at UFC 313, it will be his fourth title defense in less than a year, an impressive feat in today’s UFC.
The Calm Before the Storm
As Pereira finishes his final sparring session before UFC 313, he collapses onto the floor, exhausted but satisfied. His ability to remain calm amid chaos is what sets him apart. His coach, Teixeira, praises his evolution as a fighter, particularly his improved takedown defense. Pereira’s calmness is what allows him to excel in the Octagon, and it’s a trait that will serve him well as he prepares for his next challenge.
As he sits in the gym, surrounded by his coaches and teammates, Pereira reflects on his journey. His power is a combination of technique, genetics, and the lessons he learned at the tire shop. But above all, it’s his ability to remain calm and relaxed that makes him the scariest fighter in the world. As he prepares to defend his title, Pereira knows that the ocean is vast and mysterious, and he’s ready to unleash his power when the time comes.
Originally Written by: Ryan Hockensmith
