A recent article by Calf Kicker published in August states 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 Alex Pereira about his conversion on 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 with 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 is set to further his combat sports legacy
Alex Pereira is widely regarded as one of the most decorated strikers in the history of combat sports. The former kickboxing world champion became the simultaneous two-division champion in Glory Kickboxing and created lasting legacy in the sport's premier promotion.
His transition to MMA also yeilded similar results as 'Poatan became the UFC middleweight champion in late 2022 by defeating archrival and former kickboxing foe Israel Adesanya via fifth-round TKO. Although he lost the title in immediate rematch, Pereira has fullfiled the seemingly impossible task of becoming the UFC champion in his eighth professional MMA fight. He has defeated three UFC champions (former and current) in his career so far.
Alex Pereira earned a shot at the vacant UFC light heavyweight title with a win over former divisional king Jan Blachowicz. He will take on Jiri Prochazka in the UFC 295 main event. If the Brazilian fighter figures out Prochazka's unorthodox fighting style and emerges victoriously, he will forever go down as one of the very few fighters to reach the level of competitive success.
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