Alex Pereira has been named the recipient of the 2026 Forrest Griffin Community Award by the UFC. The award recognizes fighters who have made significant contributions beyond the octagon through charity work, community service, and positive social impact. Pereira's work helping people and giving back to society earned him this prestigious honor. The Forrest Griffin Community Award highlights athletes who excel both in competition and in their humanitarian efforts. This recognition adds to Pereira's growing legacy in the sport.
Alex Pereira has been named the recipient of the 2026 Forrest Griffin Community Award by the UFC, with the organization announcing the honor on April 12, 2026.
The award recognizes fighters who have made meaningful contributions beyond competition through charity work, community service, and positive social impact. Pereira's sustained efforts to give back earned him the distinction, which the UFC uses to highlight athletes who excel both inside the cage and in their humanitarian roles.
Pereira, known as "Poatan," is the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, carrying a professional record of 13-4-0. The 38-year-old Brazilian trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness and has established himself as one of the most dominant fighters in the division. Standing six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, he is a physically imposing presence who backs it up with elite striking output — landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 62 percent accuracy rate.
Why it matters
- The Forrest Griffin Community Award is one of the UFC's most respected off-octagon honors, reflecting character as much as athletic achievement.
- Pereira's recognition adds a humanitarian dimension to a legacy already defined by championship success at Light Heavyweight.
- The award underscores the UFC's ongoing effort to celebrate fighters who serve as positive figures in their communities and beyond.
