Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira collaborating with Judo expert Kayla Harrison is something no one expected in 2024. This came in the backdrop of many fighters criticizing Pereira’s grappling. Pereira and Harrison fought on the same fight card at UFC 300 and trained in hip-toss takedown during one such session. However, the most fascinating aspect of their friendship remains the Judo yellow belt.
Harrison — a two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka, promised to give a yellow belt to ‘Poatan’ if he used the hip toss method in his fight at UFC 303. Even though Pereira didn’t use the technique on his opponent, Jiri Prochazka, he was awarded the yellow belt regardless. Many have wondered why Harrison chose to do it. Now, the Judo specialist said it was a joke and represented his fast learning curve.
A yellow belt is a joke, obviously…You don’t normally give adults yellow belts, so that was part of it. … And to be fair to him, he was showing me the videos of him training and he was kicking [a**]. I wish that he would release this one, oh my God — he did the move I taught him and then he did the move you do if the move doesn’t work. I was like, ‘Dude, you look like a judoka!’ It’s crazy how fast he picks stuff up.
Kayla Harrison to Ariel Helwani for The MMA Hour (MMAFighting on SBN)
Like Harrison, Alex Pereira entered the fold after a long career in another martial art: Kickboxing. Pereira only entered the UFC in 2021 but now has a Hall of Fame career. Harrison will aim to do the same in her career as well. She submitted ex-champ Holly Holm in her UFC debut. Now, she will face Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307. Interestingly, Pereira headlines UFC 307 and will share a card with Harrison for the second time.
Pereira does not have great grappling skills. As such, he has trained with the likes of Harrison and others to improve himself. As such, he never hesitates to train with high-level fighters. Much like UFC pound-for-pound predecessor Islam Makhachev, the fighter is also unintentionally funny sometimes. Harrison also reiterated what the ‘Poatan’ aura is like to be around.
Kayla Harrison talks about Alex Pereira’s ‘charisma’
Light heavyweight champ Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) has been the truest story of tires to tiring riches. Once a mild alcoholic out of Sao Bernardo do Campo, Sao Paulo, the Brazilian now has unprecedented success. Now a stateside resident, he saves PPV cards when long-time superstars like Jon Jones and Conor McGregor end up injured. Over time, his aura has become something distinctly unique.
Kayla Harrison comments on Alex Pereira’s recent spur in stardom (Source: X/abtc.ng)‘Poatan’ has won titles in two weight classes, headlined multiple marquee events, and more. Most fighters use their trash-talking skills to become more marketable. However, that is not Pereira’s style. His no-nonsense attitude, calm demeanor, intense staredowns, hilarious moments, and humility have made him a fan favorite. Harrison has taken notice and praised Pereira’s aura.
He’s literally living his best life, isn’t he? …He doesn’t speak English but his character comes across. I think that’s what makes a superstar special: You can feel their aura and their character. I don’t even know if you call it charisma, but that thing…When you hear his story and when you hear — he probably doesn’t talk about it a lot but he was an alcoholic and he started competing. Dude, that’s badass…
Kayla Harrison further said on The MMA Hour (MMAFighting on SBN)
Kayla Harrison has felt it first-hand from her experiences being around Poatan. Other legends like Daniel Cormier, Charles Oliveira, and even Jon Jones appreciate the Brazilian knockout artist. Pereira’s story is not over. More is yet to come, and fans will see him back at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City this October.
