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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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6 months ago

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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

10 UFC wins, zero finishes: Movsar Evloev defends his fighting style

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1 hour ago

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October 20, 2026

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10 UFC wins, zero finishes: Movsar Evloev defends his fighting style
Movsar
Evloev rejects the notion that fans only want bloody
fights.

Evloev is scheduled to challenge Alexander
Volkanovski for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The Russian
challenger has won all 10 of his UFC bouts by decision but believes
fans appreciate his fighting style.

Movsar Evloev argues wrestling can entertain UFC fans ahead of
Volkanovski title fight

The recent departures of Michael
Page and Farid
Basharat have fueled debate about whether winning is enough to
secure a new UFC contract. Neither fighter was re-signed despite a
winning streak, though a lack of finishes has not been established
as the reason for either departure.

Evloev believes finishes are not the only measure of a fighter's
value. He says fans also appreciate tactics, skill and
wrestling.

“I have zero finishes in UFC, but I'm still in the UFC and I'm
fighting for the title,†Evloev told MMA Fighting. “That means only
finishes are not important. To show a good fight is also important.
If you have no finish, you can still show a good fight, an exciting
fight; you can show the beauty of wrestling. There are not just
fans of MMA who just wait for blood. There are so many good fans
who know MMA, and they understand, and maybe because of them I'm
still in the UFC.â€

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MMA

Morning Report | Chris Weidman, Dustin Poirier recall opponents’ dramatic change from weigh-in to fight night: ‘Who the f*ck is this guy?’

Published

12 hours ago

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October 20, 2026

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Morning Report | Chris Weidman, Dustin Poirier recall opponents’ dramatic change from weigh-in to fight night: ‘Who the f*ck is this guy?’

What’s up best community in sports? Hope you’re having a great start to the week.

Tomorrow (later than usual), we’re going LIVE with a special Between the Links episode. I’ll be in Las Vegas, and joining me will be the great José Youngs to answer your questions about UFC 333, the two title fights, RAF 14, and much more.

Here’s your chance to get your questions in, early and often. Show will go live around 6-6:30-ish p.m. ET, depending on my fun day of travel. Fire away, and we’ll see you tomorrow.

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MMA

Alexander Volkanovski predicts wild finish of 20-0 Movsar Evloev

Published

13 hours ago

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October 20, 2026

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Alexander Volkanovski predicts 'wild' finish of 20-0 Movsar Evloev
Alexander
Volkanovski is brimming with confidence ahead of his next title
defense.

Volkanovski (28-4) is scheduled to defend his
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title against
Movsar
Evloev (20-0) at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The Australian
champion believes he can deliver a career-best performance against
the undefeated Russian.

Alexander Volkanovski doubts Movsar Evloev can outgrapple him
for 25 minutes at UFC 333

Evloev has won all 10 of his UFC bouts by decision, but Volkanovski
doubts the challenger can outgrapple him for five rounds. “The
Great†believes Evloev would need to catch him with a decisive
strike to win.

“Trying to outgrapple me for 25 minutes, I can't see it,â€
Volkanovski told MMA Junkie. “I believe that the only chance that
any of these guys have is for them to catch me… If he thinks he can
beat me by decision or he thinks he can outgrapple me, I'm sure
he's gonna try, we'll see. I'm just very confident in my skills and
the fighter I still am… I think I can do it in pretty wild fashion.
I believe I can get a finish. I believe I can do it inside five… A
lot of people are going to go say after this fight, ‘Is that the
best Volk we’ve ever seen?'â€

Volkanovski first won the title against Max
Holloway in 2019 and defended it five times before losing to
Ilia
Topuria in 2024. He reclaimed the vacant championship against
Diego
Lopes last year after Topuria moved up to lightweight, then
defended it in their rematch in January.

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