Alexsandro Pereira, commonly known as Alex Pereira or sometimes Alex Sandro, is a Brazilian kickboxer and mixed martial artist who competes in the middleweight division. He turned to kickboxing after giving up a career as a boxer. Pereira has competed in promotions such as Glory, Kunlun Fight, SUPERKOMBAT Fighting Championship and It's Showtime. He is the current champion of Glory Kickboxing at Middleweight and the interim Light Heavyweight. As of 1 December 2019, he is ranked the #1 middleweight in the world and the #3 light heavyweight in the world by Combat Press.
Career
He won the ' in Zagreb, Croatia on 8 March 2014, beating Dustin Jacoby by first-round knockout in the semi-finals and Sahak Parparyan by majority decision in the final. It was announced during the ' broadcast that Pereira would be one of eight fighters competing in the middleweight tournament in Inglewood, California, United States on 21 June 2014. He lost to eventual champion Artem Levin by unanimous decision in the quarter-finals to exit the tournament. Pereira met Yousri Belgaroui at the Glory 40 and Glory 49 Superfight Series, and then in 2018 in New YorkMadison Square Garden at the Glory 55 for the Middleweight Title Match, where Belgaroui had received the overhand right knockout at 2:29 of Round 1. For Pereira, it was the 28th career victory and the sixth inside the Glory ring. In November 2018, Pereira said he will pursue MMA career after his contract with Glory will expire in April 2019. Eventually, Pereira re-signed with Glory with possibility to fight in the mixed martial arts also. After four straight successful Glory middleweight title defenses, Pereira moved up to fight Donegi Abena for the interim Glory Light Heavyweight Championship at. Pereira won the fight via knockout in the third round, becoming the first double champion in Glory history. After winning the Light Heavyweight Championship, Pereira opted to defend his middleweight title against Ertugrul Bayrak at Glory Collision 2 on December 21, 2019. After largely dominating the first round, he won the bout via knockout in the end of the round.
