In the brutal world of combat sports, faith can be a fighter’s strongest weapon. Some, like Jon Jones, wear their beliefs like a badge of honor, thanking “Jesus Christ, The Savior” after every victory. Others, like Khabib Nurmagomedov, have built entire legacies around their faith. But not every warrior chooses to put their spirituality in the spotlight.

Alex Pereira falls into that category. A man of few words, the UFC light heavyweight champion prefers to let his fists do the talking. Yet, behind his stoic demeanor lies a fascinating journey. One that took him from the favelas of Brazil to the pinnacle of combat sports. But along the way, did Pereira also undergo a spiritual transformation?

Alex Pereira converts to Islam

In 2015, reports surfaced that Pereira had embraced Islam. According to Sheikh Taqi Al-Din of IINA, the Brazilian knockout artist sought “inner peace, contentment, and perfect character” and found his purpose in the teachings of Islam. To deepen his understanding, he visited the Federation of Muslim Associations in Brazil, where he reportedly recited the Shahada—the Islamic declaration of faith.

For Pereira, religion seemed to offer more than just guidance. It became a source of strength, a tool to battle the demons of his past. In a past interview, he admitted, “A lot of people go through this kind of problem and I get a lot of messages. They want to know how I did it. Today, I see the importance. I was a little afraid, a little ashamed to speak, but today I am proud to speak, because I can help many people.”

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A video circulating online shows Pereira taking the Shahada, reinforcing the belief that he had indeed converted. But was this a lifelong commitment or a passing phase in his journey?

Does Alex Pereira practice Christianity now?

Born in Brazil in 1987, Alex Pereira comes from the Pataxó tribe, an indigenous group with deep roots in the Bahia region. His heritage shaped his identity, though his upbringing was anything but easy.

Life in the favelas was unforgiving. Pereira dropped out of school early, taking on grueling jobs to survive. As a teenager, he spiraled into alcoholism, a common escape from his harsh reality. But in 2009, fighting saved him. Kickboxing became his salvation, steering him away from addiction and into a world where discipline and purpose replaced self-destruction.

While his indigenous roots are undeniable, speculation surrounds the religion he was born into. Given his surname and Brazilian heritage, many believe he was raised in a Christian household.

A Reddit post even suggests that Pereira frequently shares images of himself in church, implying that Catholicism is still his guiding light. But with so many chapters in his life, the question remains: does Alex Pereira still follow the teachings of Islam?

The speculation surrounding Alex Pereira’s religious beliefs gained traction due to a cryptic post from UFC middleweight Paulo Costa. ‘The Eraser’ shared the aforementioned video of ‘Poatan’ taking the Shahada, writing, “I saw news Ankalaev is in Ramadan during all this fight camp so he can’t eat. Fun thing is Alex used to be Muslim, or still is, I don’t know. Maybe Alex wasn’t very much fasting adept. May Allah bless you all and bring a good fight.”

According to the comments on the post, one fan claimed, “Apparently he only did it out of respect for a coach he was working with at the time, also to help him quit drinking, but he isn’t Muslim, especially after reconnecting with his tribe who are pagans.”

This raises an interesting possibility—was Pereira’s conversion an act of respect rather than religious conviction? Did he embrace Islam as a personal stepping stone rather than a lifelong commitment? What is clear, however, is that Alex Pereira’s spiritual journey is as complex as his fighting career, and as per the man himself, he has an interesting outlook on faith. 

Alex Pereira chooses not to discuss religion

If you ask Pereira directly, he shuts the door. During a UFC media day, he made his stance clear by stating, “I’m not here to talk about religion. I have a lot of respect for that, but he came in to say he couldn’t take the bet, but there wasn’t a bet for me to put money in my pocket. It was a good cause and donate to charity and then he goes and talks about alcoholism, I’m a champion of life and overcame alcoholism but there’s a lot of people who didn’t and their families struggle with it. He used religion to talk about a certain purpose, but I’m not here to talk about religion, I respect them all.”

As such, whether Muslim, Christian, or simply spiritual, Alex Pereira’s beliefs remain his own. What’s undeniable is that his journey, marked by resilience and reinvention, has shaped him into the man he is today!