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Alex Pereira wins the 2026 UFC Community Award for inspiring charity work Alex Pereira wins the 2026 Forrest Griffin Community Award for influential charity work

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Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS — Ultimate Fighting Championship star Alex Pereira has been named 2026 Forrest Griffin Community Award Winnerin recognition of his growing influence outside the Octagon through charity work and youth development initiatives.

The award, named in honor of UFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin, honors a fighter who demonstrates exceptional commitment to community service and makes a significant impact on people’s lives.

Dana White selects Pereira for the prestigious UFC Honors award

The Forrest Griffin Community Award is part of the annual UFC Honors program and is part of the President’s Choice category, hand-selected by UFC President and CEO Dana White.

“Alex is one of the biggest stars in the world and it’s great to see him using his platform to give back,” White said. “Helping the youth of Brazil through education and martial arts is making a real difference.”

As part of this honor, Pereira will receive an award named after Donation of $25,000 to the charity of your choice, courtesy of the UFC Foundation.

Instituto Poatan is changing lives in Brazil

At the center of Pereira’s efforts is the Instituto Poatan, a nonprofit organization he founded in 2024 after renovating a facility in São Paulo, Brazil.

The organization focuses on empowering disadvantaged youth through:

  • Free after-school tutoring
  • English language education
  • Computer programs
  • Nutritional support
  • Brazilian jiu-jitsu training

Since its launch, over 500 teenage people have joined the program and plan further development in 2026.

Pereira’s mission is to exploit sports as a pathway to opportunity – helping children build discipline, self-confidence and a brighter future.

Global coverage outside Brazil

In addition to working from home, Pereira has expanded his reach around the world.

Former two-division UFC regular champion:

  • He visits children’s hospitals
  • He conducts jiu-jitsu seminars
  • Participates in youth mentoring programs

These efforts are often undertaken in partnership with UFC initiatives that aim to support disadvantaged communities.

Custom UFC gloves supporting charity

As part of the recognition, Pereira will collaborate with celebrated artists Kai the ant create single pair of UFC gloves as part of a promotion Gloves for good program.

The gloves will be auctioned and the proceeds will be donated Poatan Institutecontinue to support its programs and expansion.

Honored during UFC International Fight Week

Pereira will be officially recognized during 2026 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonywhich takes place during the UFC’s 14th annual International Fight Week.

The ceremony is scheduled for July 9 at T-Mobile Arena.

From champion to community leader

Known for his dominance in the cage, Pereira has built an elite resume in both MMA and kickboxing.

  • MMA record: 13-3 (10-2 UFC)
  • Former UFC middleweight and delicate heavyweight champion
  • Former GLORY kickboxing champion (middleweight and delicate heavyweight)

But in 2026, it’s his work outside the cage this is gaining recognition around the world, cementing his legacy not only as a champion, but also as a role model.

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MMA

Regina Tarin asked God for a sign; then the UFC called

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Regina Tarin asked God for a sign; then the UFC called
Regina
Tarin feels divine intervention led her to pursue a
professional mixed martial arts career.

Tarin (8-0) tried professional boxing and even considered a
pro-wrestling career before an opportunity in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship presented itself. She is
scheduled to fight J.J. Aldrich
(15-7) at
Noche UFC 4 on Sept. 12 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale,
Arizona, in her second Octagon appearance.

Regina Tarin explains how WWE tryouts and a three-day UFC offer
changed her career

Tarin was scheduled to fight on
Dana White's Contender Series last year. However, the bout was
canceled and she then got a call from the WWE soon after. Tarin
participated in their tryouts this past January, and while she was
almost set on a WWE career, she asked God if she had chosen the
right career path.

The undefeated Mexican then got a call from the UFC to make a debut
on three days' notice. That was the moment that Tarin knew she was
destined for MMA. “Kill Bill†defeated Ernesta
Kareckaite via unanimous decision in her UFC debut this past
February.

“I had a Contender Series fight that got canceled and WWE called
me,†Tarin told Full Send MMA. “I thought, ‘OK, maybe [MMA] is not
my sport; I can try WWE.' But spoke to God and said, ‘Please tell
me if I chose the correct sport.' Then UFC called me on three days'
notice. That's the exact moment when I thought MMA is for me.â€

Tarin has finished six of her eight pro wins so far. The
21-year-old is a -250 favorite going into her bout against Aldrich,
who is on a two-fight winning streak.

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MMA

Security breaks up heated hotel run-in between undefeated UFC rivals

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Security breaks up heated hotel run-in between undefeated UFC rivals
Security had to separate Tommy
McMillen and Marwan
Rahiki during their run-in at the fighter hotel days before
their clash.

McMillen (11-0) and Rahiki (9-0) are set to collide in a highly
anticipated matchup of undefeated
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweights at
Noche UFC 4 on Sept. 12 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale,
Arizona.

Tommy McMillen details altercation with Marwan Rahiki before
Noche UFC 4

Bad blood is brewing between the two unbeaten 145-pounder prospects
and they've taken several shots at one another before fight week.
McMillen previously said he's ready to brawl with Rahiki in a
parking lot and doubts whether the Moroccan would be ready to do
the same.

The American now claims to have already had a run-in with Rahiki
inside an elevator at the fighter hotel. McMillen says he was with
his brother and his striking coach when he met Rahiki, who had
eight teammates with him.

“I popped up here in the elevator and that's the first kid I saw,â€
McMillen said at Noche UFC 4 media day. “He was there with eight of
his teammates and I'm sitting here with my little brother Jono and
my striking coach, JJ. I got right in his face; he tried to touch
me, I pushed him right out of my face. I told him he looks like a
scrawny little b*tch, Saturday night I'm gonna make him look like
my little brother… Security had to break it up. I don't like that
kid; he doesn't like me. He thinks it's all fun and games. I'm the
kid that would actually fight this kid in a parking lot. He's not
like that at all; he's a p*ssy. I'd assume he's not stupid enough
to think this is an act. I kind of just punked him in the elevator
with eight of his friends and showed him it's not an act. I'll
fight him in front of his whole f*cking team. This kid's not on the
same level as me.â€

Footage of the altercation shows both parties trading barbs and
gently shoving each other while officials try to separate them.
Both McMillen and Rahiki have two finishes each in as many UFC
outings. While McMillen has finished 10 of his 11 career wins,
Rahiki has never seen the judges' scorecards in his nine career
wins.


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MMA

UFC fighter says he cant see opponents clearly until they get close

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UFC fighter says he can't see opponents clearly until they get close
Kurtis
Campbell can't see his opponents clearly inside the
Octagon.

Campbell wears considerably thick-lensed glasses when out of
competition. The Liverpool native seems to be heavily dependent on
them, putting them back on immediately after his fights. Campbell
recently revealed that his eyesight is poor and that his opponents
appear blurry to him until they get close.

Kurtis Campbell explains why his UFC opponents appear blurry
across the Octagon

While Campbell tried contact lenses when he was young, he was too
nervous to put them in. The
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight eventually got
used to fighting without contact lenses and prefers it this way
now.

“My eyesight is really bad, but at the same time I love my
glasses,†Campbell told Ariel Helwani. “I would never change them…
I tried contacts when I was younger, but I was always too nervous;
I couldn't put them in. So, I got used to fighting without them and
I don't think I've ever gone back since. I've always preferred it
that way… Because of how big the UFC cage is, [my opponent] is
blurry and then once we get closer, it gets a little better.â€

Campbell (9-1) earned his UFC contract with a first-round technical
knockout win on
Dana White's Contender Series last year. He then suffered a
knockout loss to Danny Silva
in his UFC debut in London this past March. “The Pink Pantherâ€
rebounded with a dominant submission win over Trevor Peek
at
UFC Paris.

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