Reporter goes viral for asking disrespectful Alex Pereira question before UFC 313

This reporter was met by a stone-faced staredown from Alex Pereira at the UFC 313 presser.

UFC

Alex Pereira might not be fluent in English, but he knows an insult when he hears one.

Brazil's UFC light heavyweight champion attempts to defend his title for a fourth time in less than a year later today, this time against #1 contender Magomed Ankalaev. Both men meet in the main event of UFC 313 in Las Vegas, the fight capital of the world.

Long before he was the face of the UFC, "Poatan" came from small beginnings, working at a tire repair shop in Brazil and wrestling with alcoholism until combat sports changed his life forever— from the kickboxing ring all the way to the Octagon.

Alex Pereira has such an incredibly inspiring story.

This is a Google Maps image of him working at a tire shop in Brazil in 2013.

He went down a path of alcoholism during this time.

He rebuilt himself into one of the greatest combat sports athletes of all time. pic.twitter.com/0sFr6N2IOI

— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) June 30, 2024

Alex Pereira drops three options for UFC & boxing fights after Magomed Ankalaev

Reporter Brings Up Tire Shop To Magomed Ankalaev, Pereira Reacts

Pereira's title on the line once again this weekend, a Russian reporter fielded a disrespectful question about the Brazilian to his opponent Ankalaev.

"If you absolutely dominate Alex in this fight, do you think you'll send him back working in the tire shop?" the reporter asked at the UFC 313 press conference.

Alex Pereira stared down a Russian reporter who asked a disrespectful question 🥶 pic.twitter.com/5OLgM2AEF5

— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) March 7, 2025

This question was met by a smile from Ankalaev and a stone-faced staredown from Pereira, eyeing the reporter from the stage.... the champion wasn't happy one bit.

"Bro like I’ve never seen him show this much emotion holy f***," one fan said of Pereira's demeanor.

Bro like I’ve never seen him show this much emotion holy fuck 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/tAfnQwMGzC

— Ej⚜️ (@ejgarci4) March 7, 2025

Ankalaev Says Career Change Is Up To Pereira

Magomed Ankalaev played along, saying Pereira's decision to go back to the tire shop isn't his to make.

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"We're planning on absolutely dominating him," Ankalaev answered the reporter's question. "We're gonna make sure 'Chama' has no chance. Whether or not he stays in the sport or decides to go back to the tire shop, that's gonna be up to him."

Magomed Ankalaev will challenge Alex Pereira at UFC 313. / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

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