Alex Pereira (13-4) is getting prepared to bounce back from his first heavyweight setback. The former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion lost his debut in the division to Ciryl Gane at the historic White House card on June 14, with the interim title on the line.
Ahead of his highly anticipated return to action at UFC 335, his training video is already making rounds online. Surprisingly, the former two-division champion is not the one dominating the practice session.
Glover Teixeira Lands Heavy Shots on Alex Pereira in Sparring Session
A short 37-second clip posted by Happy Punch on X shows Pereira training in gloves with former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira. And “Poatan” appeared to be struggling in front of Teixeira’s punches.
The X handle also wrote in the caption, “Alex Pereira got hit with some shots from Glover Teixeira in sparring today.”
Alex Pereira got hit with some shots from Glover Teixeira in sparring today 👀 https://t.co/SwpdTaSqSx
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) October 26, 2026
His struggle has given fans mixed feelings on social media. Some think Pereira will be an easy task for Sergei Pavlovich on Dec. 12, while others are guessing that he might just be showing himself vulnerable and hiding his true power before entering the Octagon.
However, the pairing is not new. Teixeira invited “Poatan” to his gym, Teixeira MMA & Fitness in Bethel, Connecticut, around 2020. The Brazilian fighter has trained there ever since transitioning from kickboxing to MMA. Teixeira, who retired at age 43 after his 2023 loss to Jamahal Hill, leads Pereira’s fight camps. Under his guidance, Pereira won UFC titles in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.
But Pavlovich is the kind of opponent that makes hard rounds worthwhile. The Russian carries a three-fight win streak and has finished most of his opponents early. Pereira needs to keep his hands high and his head movement sharp for five rounds against a constant one-shot threat like Pavlovich.
The No. 2-ranked contender briefly broke his silence regarding the December 12 clash, warning the former two-division champion via social media that he has “many surprises” waiting for him at UFC 335.
It remains to be seen if Pereira’s chase for a third UFC division title will continue with a victory. However, he openly admitted he will not stay at heavyweight if he loses, noting he refuses to become a stepping stone for rising contenders.
His long-time rival Israel Adesanya also urged him to return to 205 pounds, claiming that “Poatan” could land an immediate title shot if he moves back down to the light heavyweight division.
