Alex Pereira: ‘I Don’t Smile Much’

Takeaways from the UFC 295 weigh-ins

NEW YORK, NY–Alex Pereira doesn’t smile much.

Bu that doesn’t mean he isn’t enjoying himself.

“I don’t smile much,” Pereira revealed through a translator. “But I believe me, I am having fun.”

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

In only his seventh UFC fight, Pereira has the opportunity to win a title in a second weight class. Standing in his way is Jiri Prochazka, who has not tasted defeat since 2015.

Yet Pereira’s stoic facial expression is consistent. No matter the occasion, it seems, rarely ever does he smile.

Earlier this week, I asked Pereira about his interests outside of fighting. While it is hard to picture him exploding with laughter at a sitcom, I figured it was worth a shot to ask.

“I’m always looking for new passions and new things to entertain me,” said Pereira. “And I like all kinds of things, but it’s hard for me to name one specific one. I feel like my life is an open book, and people already know all about me.”

So much for that.

Alex Pereira weighed in at 204 pounds

Pereira made weight for his light heavyweight title bout, weighing in this morning at 204 pounds. The weight class is clearly a better fit for Pereira than middleweight, though his size and power made him an incredible threat at 185 pounds. If he can now win gold at light heavyweight, after also putting together a Hall of Fame kickboxing career in GLORY, it will be hard to deny Pereira’s place among the all-time elite fighters.

Prochazka (204.2 pounds) also weighed in without issue, making the main event official.

Jiri Prochazka weighed in at 204.2 pounds

The entire main card is set, with co-main competitors Tom Aspinall (261.6) and Sergei Pavlovich (weight) also making weight.

Official #UFC295 weigh-in:

Main card interim heavyweight title bout

Tom Aspinall (261.6) vs. Sergei Pavlovich (259.8) is official pic.twitter.com/FQ8iiiSYvF

— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) November 10, 2023

Official #UFC295 weigh-in:

Main card women’s strawweight bout

Jessica Andrade (116) vs. Mackenzie Dern (115.6) is official pic.twitter.com/s3sPMnTTJY

— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) November 10, 2023

Official #UFC295 weigh-in:

Main card lightweight bout

Matt Frevola (155.6) vs. Benoit Saint Denis (156) is official pic.twitter.com/WzQgMByYXK

— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) November 10, 2023

Official #UFC295 weigh-in:

Main card featherweight bout

Diego Lopes (145.4) vs. Pat Sabatini (145.8) is official pic.twitter.com/cgPqaQdvr0

— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) November 10, 2023

The fighters can now rehydrate and arrive at a more comfortable weight for fight night. Perhaps that will bring a smile to Pereira’s face.