Alex Pereira: Why is UFC champion called “Poatan” and what does it mean?
Associated PressAlex Pereira’s iconic ‘Poatan’ nickname is well known to UFC fans, but not everyone knows the meaning behind it and where it came from.
Pereira defended his light-heavyweight title with a brutal first round knockout of Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 in Las Vegas during his last fight.
The headline fight lived up to the hype, with the Brazilian now eyeing up a chance at becoming the first fighter in the promotion to hold three titles across three weight titles.
Ahead of his next fight, here is all you need to know behind Pereira’s ‘Poatan’ nickname.
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Why is Alex Pereira called Poatan?
Pereira’s ‘Poatan’ nickname comes from his native Tupi-Guarani language to mean ‘hand as hard as rocks’ – or ‘stone hand’.
Pereira’s left hand is even covered in a tattoo of stones to pay tribute to his name and represent the power that he carries within it.
The nickname was given to Pereira by his first kickboxing coach and the Brazilian has certainly lived up to his reputation with the amount of damage he has done inside the octagon with strikes from his hands.
Next fight options
A clash with Tom Aspinall at heavyweight would be colossal. Tensions between the pair to built ahead of UFC 300 and a showdown between the pair could materialize after the Brit’s headline fight against Curtis Blaydes.
Pereira also has a score to settle with Israel Adesanya. They have both fought in the octagon twice, with deeper routes starting back from their kickboxing days.
A third option, that might not set any hearts alight, would be a light-heavyweight showdown with Magomed Ankalaev. Yes, it may not be the most exciting fight, but the Russian is undefeated in his last 12 fights and has claimed that the Brazilian doesn’t have a ‘chin’.
UFC record
Pereira’s record stands at 10-2-0: 10 wins and two defeats across his 12 fights in the UFC.
Across his career, the 36-year-old has beaten the likes of Jiri Prochazka, Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya – yet the latter would claim his revenge five months later with a second-round knockout of Pereira at UFC 287.