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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

Daniel Cormier denies Jon Jones’ claims of amicable exchanges off-camera

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Daniel Cormier denies Jon Jones’ claims of amicable exchanges off-camera
Daniel
Cormier isn’t letting Jon Jones
rewrite their rivalry.

The
Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famer has dismissed
Jones’ recent claim that the two privately buried the hatchet while
filming a reality series in Thailand, insisting no such
conversation ever took place.

Daniel Cormier rejects Jon Jones’ reconciliation story

Jones recently told ALF Global that Cormier admitted their rivalry
was too lucrative for them to then publicly become friends, even if
there were no lingering issues between them behind the scenes.
“D.C.†rejected Jones’ version of events, insisting the
conversation never happened.

“That didn't happen,†Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “We did
not have that conversation… No. He's just my enemy all the time.
It just is what it is. It’s OK. As I have told you before, you can
go to bed at night with an enemy. You don't need the happy fairy
tale ending.â€

While Cormier acknowledged that their rivalry generated significant
paydays for both men, he stressed that the animosity was never
manufactured for business purposes. He compared their financial
success to other iconic combat sports rivalries, but maintained
that the bad blood between the pair was always genuine.

Cormier also admitted that time has eased some of the intensity,
saying the pair can now occupy the same room without immediately
wanting to fight. However, he insists there's too much history
between them for a friendship to develop. The UFC commentator also
questioned why Jones continues to revisit their rivalry.

“Generally, when you get older, you start to dislike people more,â€
Cormier added. “Jon Jones, I do still hate you and I always
will.â€

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MMA

Canelo Alvarez reveals what will finally make him retire from boxing

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Canelo Alvarez reveals what will finally make him retire from boxing
Saul “Canelo†Alvarez knows his legendary career is slowly
approaching its inevitable conclusion.

The former champion recently opened up about his retirement plans
during an appearance on CBS Mornings, saying he will let his
fitness determine how long to continue, not his age.

Canelo Alvarez opens up on boxing future and life beyond the
sport

Alvarez has already established himself as one of the sport's most
prominent figures with world titles in four weight classes. At 36,
the Mexican icon believes he still has plenty left physically, but
insists he won’t ignore the signs when his body begins to slow
down.

“When I’m there in the gym and I take a lot of punches and then my
body doesn’t respond in the same way, then I know,†Alvarez said.
“I’m not going to go and fight with that kind of training. Because
in the training, you can see everything in the training camp.â€

Alvarez, who has more than 60 wins in his decorated career, also
claimed that he has very little left to compete for. While he still
feels “good” during training sessions, he believes there’s “not
much left” for him to do in the sport and is already looking
ahead.

“I have other things to accomplish outside of boxing,†he
added.

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MMA

Undefeated flyweight calls for a long-term deal with MVP-PFL merger

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Undefeated flyweight calls for a long-term deal with MVP-PFL merger
The
Most Valuable Promotions and
Professional Fighters League merger already has top fighters
rallying for a spot on their roster, including a former
Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight.

MVP and PFL recently announced a historic merger that has made
waves in the world of combat sports. The new league will operate
under the MVP banner, led by Jake Paul and
Nakisa Bidarian. Meanwhile, former PFL CEO John Martin will serve
as CEO and Board Member of the new company.

The new league vows to follow a fighter-first approach with
equitable compensation for athletes, along with the opportunity to
build their brands inside and outside of the cage.

Muhammad Mokaev eyes new home after PFL-MVP merger

Former UFC flyweight Muhammad
Mokaev (17-0) is already rallying for a spot on the new
league's roster if they have a flyweight division.

“If MVP & PFL Make 125 division I'm ready for long term deal,â€
Mokaev wrote on X.

Since MVP doesn't have a full-fledged roster and PFL didn't have a
men's flyweight division, it remains to be seen if the new union
introduces the 125-pound division for men.

A lightweight
title fight headlines PFL NY: Tune on Friday, July 31 at 7 p.m. ET
on ESPN.

Despite being on the cusp of title contention, Mokaev shockingly
left the UFC following a lackluster win over Manel Kape
in 2024 after the promotion opted against offering him a renewal.
While the reason for his exit was speculated to be issues outside
the Octagon, “The Punisher†claims he'd been warned to change his
wrestling-heavy fighting style.

Mokaev has finished three of four MMA outings since leaving the
UFC, along with a finish at Karate Combat. Notably, he was
scheduled to fight Adriano
Moraes at MVP's first MMA card this past June. However, the
Dagestani-Brit was pulled from the card a week before fight night
due to visa issues.

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