5 most brutal Alex Pereira knockouts outside the UFC

Former GLORY champion Alex Pereira [Image via @KrisDekker on Twitter]

UFC middleweight Alex Pereira is among the most decorated and dangerous kickboxers in the world. The powerful Brazilian's kickboxing résumé is loaded with scorching knockouts across multiple promotions. His nickname, 'Po Atan', literally translates to 'Stone Hand'.

Pereira is a former middleweight and light heavyweight champion in GLORY. 'Po Atan' has 33 wins in the kickboxing ring, of which 21 came by way of knockout. After putting together a 3-1 MMA record, he fully committed to the more multi-dimensional sport, and in 2021, he signed with the UFC.

Kickboxing champion Alex Pereira thanked UFC and said he's happy to be "part of the family" in an Instagram post.

(via alexpoatanpereira/Instagram) https://t.co/XGp3Cv1K7n

Now competing at the highest level in MMA, Pereira will be looking to make his mark in the sport just as he did in kickboxing, by adding to his ridiculous highlight reel of vicious knockouts.

Here are the five most brutal Alex Pereira knockouts outside the UFC.

#5. Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 2

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya's last fight in the kickboxing ring was his rematch with Alex Pereira. The duo locked horns for the first time in China in 2016, with Pereira coming away with a debatable decision victory. A year later, they rematched in Sao Paulo, Brazil, at GLORY of Heroes 7.

Adesanya seemingly made the necessary tactical adjustments going into the rematch as he picked apart Pereira in the first two rounds. Looking to exact his revenge, the Kiwi fought recklessly in the third round and ultimately got caught with a clean left hook, which put him to sleep.

The only man to stop Israel Adesanya is now in the UFC.

Alex Pereira knocked out the middleweight champ in the Stylebender's last kickboxing match.

Poatan makes his MMA debut at UFC 268 🔥 https://t.co/4qLis4dndm

The devastating defeat to Alex Pereira in 2017 remains the only knockout loss of Israel Adesanya's storied career in professional combat sports. Over the course of his storied career, comprising over 100 fights across kickboxing, boxing and MMA, the reigning UFC middleweight champion has only been finished on one occasion, at the hands of 'Po Atan'.

A trilogy fight has all the makings of a blockbuster matchup. If it does come to fruition, it will more than likely take place inside the UFC octagon, which further adds to the already intriguing storyline of their rivalry.

Israel Adesanya has former kickboxing foe Alex Pereira on his radar if both win at #UFC276.

Full story: bit.ly/3N6T7bD https://t.co/32Y21H4Lp3