Here’s the latest on Alex Pereira’s nickname:
- The nickname Poatan is commonly cited as meaning “stone hand” or “stone fist,” reflecting Pereira’s heavy hands and indigenous heritage. It originated from his early kickboxing coaches and has been widely discussed in MMA media.[1][2]
- Pereira himself has explained that Poatan stems from indigenous ancestry (Pataxó) traced through his family, and the name was given by a coach who linked his strength and appearance to indigenous culture.[2][1]
- In UFC communications, Poatan is consistently used as Pereira’s nickname, and it remains a central part of his brand and public identity as a fighter.[3]
If you’d like, I can pull a few recent quotes or appearances where he’s referred to as Poatan, or summarize how fans reacted to any recent nickname-related moments.
Sources
Pereira steps in for the UFC once again, this time in a rematch against Jiri Procházka at UFC 303. Can "Poatan" create one of the more unique legacies in MMA history?
www.espn.comGet the latest UFC news on Alex Pereira. Stay up to date with UFC player news, rumors, updates, analysis, social feeds, and more at FOX Sports.
www.foxsports.comView the profile of the MMA fighter Alex Pereira from Brazil on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and MMA fight highlights.
www.espn.comAlex “Poatan” Pereira is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist in the UFC light heavyweight division, and a former UFC middleweight and UFC light heavyweight champion. Get the latest UFC breaking news, fight night results, MMA records and stats, highlights, photos, videos and more.
www.ufc.comWorking at a tire shop in Brazil since age 12, Alex Pereira went to a gym to turn his life around. He became one of MMA's most formidable champions.
www.washingtonpost.comView the profile of the MMA fighter Alex Pereira from Brazil on ESPN (IN). Get the latest news, live stats and MMA fight highlights.
www.espn.inThe industry pioneer in UFC, Bellator and all things MMA (aka Ultimate Fighting). MMA news, interviews, pictures, videos and more since 1997.
www.sherdog.comLike most other Brazilian fighters, Alex Pereira's nickname or fight name is an intrinsic part of his identity. The former middleweight champion is referred to as 'Poatan' inside the cage.
www.sportskeeda.comView the profile of the MMA fighter Alex Pereira from Brazil on ESPN (AU). Get the latest news, live stats and MMA fight highlights.
www.espn.com.au