Is Alex Pereira Muslim?

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has become one of the most successful MMA fighters by winning two UFC titles in a short span of two years after making his UFC debut.

Outside of being an entertaining and highly skilled fighter, Pereira is an interesting personality although he is a man of few words. The Brazilian fighter has indigenous Pataxo ancestry and proudly carries his identity when he shows up to the weigh-ins or walks out to his fights donning traditional Pataxo headdress and face paint.

While strongly connected to his culture, Pereira has also formed a spiritual connection with a different religious faith.

---

Is Alex Pereira Muslim?

An article by Calf Kicker published in August 2022 stated that Alex Pereira converted to Islam back in 2015. According to the article, the news was first told by Sheikh Khaled Taqi Al-Din to the IINA (International Islamic News Agency). Sheikh Khaled Taqi Al-Din is the director of the Federation of Muslim Associations of Brazil (FAMBRAS).

Though there is no statement by Pereira about his conversion in any official combat sports journal, the biggest evidence of the fact that 'Poatan' became Muslim is a video of him with the FAMBRAS director reciting the Shahada, an oath or a 'declaration of faith' in Islam.

This gives more strength to the claim made in Calf Kicker's article.

Watch Pereira take Shahada below:

Alex Pereira has a history of alcoholism, having started drinking at age 12. His struggles continued well into his 20s, where he found himself fighting the habit despite being a national kickboxing champion three years into training.

Perhaps, Pereira may have converted to Islam to aid in his fight against alcoholism, as the belief system forbids the consumption of alcohol. Pereira is now self-admittedly clean, stating that he hasn't touched a drop of alcohol since 2012. He started training in kickboxing to help combat his alcohol addiction.

---

Alex Pereira set to defend his title immediately after the holy month of Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan is observed by practicing Muslims as the month of fasting, prayer, and community. It is the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad's first revelation and Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset for the entire month.

As a result, most of the Muslim fighters competing in the UFC refrain from competing during or immediately after the holy month as following the diet necessary for athletic competition could be difficult during this time.

Alex Pereira will attempt the first defense of his 205-pound title at UFC 300 on April 13. The event will take place a couple of days after Eid al-Fitr (April 11), which marks the end of the holy month.

Pereira does not share the details of his spiritual life on public platforms. Hence, it is not clear if he observed fasting during the holy month. However, fighters have completed training camps while observing the holy month and it's possible that Pereira did as well.