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UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is back in the spotlight, this time for a sparring session that quickly gained attention online and thousands of views.
While awaiting confirmation of his next opponent, Pereira shared footage showing him sparring with Dutch model Vera Dijkmans, a moment that sparked widespread discussion across social media.
The training clip circulated rapidly, with fans reacting to the unusual pairing and speculating about the nature of their interaction. No details were provided beyond the brief look at the sparring exchange, but it was enough to fuel conversation among fight fans and followers alike.
A very public split
The moment comes shortly after Pereira's very public split from fellow UFC fighter Tracy Cortez. Earlier this month, the two appeared to confirm their relationship, only to announce its end days later. On January 9th, Pereira posted an unexpected video of himself running in the rain, using the clip to deliver the news that the relationship was over.
In a message shared on Instagram stories and translated to English, Pereira addressed his fans directly. He said that while he and Cortez shared meaningful moments, they mutually decided it would be better to go their separate ways. Pereira added that he wished Cortez the best moving forward.
With his personal life drawing attention and his championship status keeping him firmly in the public eye, Pereira continues to generate headlines even while inactive in the Octagon. For now, the Brazilian knockout artist remains focused on training as fans await word on his next UFC title defense.
Pereira wants to have another year like 2024
The year 2024 produced no shortage of standout performances across combat sports, but few runs stood out quite like Alex Pereira's brief yet unforgettable stretch at the top of the UFC's light heavyweight division. Even with fewer appearances than many of his peers, Pereira managed to leave an outsized mark with three high-profile wins that defined his year and solidified his place among the sport's elite.
Pereira entered 2024 as the reigning light heavyweight champion after capturing the vacant title at UFC 295 in November 2023 with a dramatic victory over Jií Procházka. The win capped a rapid rise in a second weight class for the former middleweight champion and set the stage for what would become one of the most talked-about title runs in recent memory.
His first defense came on one of the biggest stages imaginable. Headlining UFC 300, Pereira closed out a historic card that featured multiple championship fights and unforgettable moments, including Max Holloway's last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje and Zhang Weili's strawweight title defense against Yan Xiaonan. Across from him stood Jamahl Hill, the former light heavyweight champion making his return after an injury forced him to vacate the belt the previous year.