UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has been named the 2026 Forrest Griffin Community Award recipient. The award recognizes a fighter who has made significant contributions beyond the octagon through charity work, community involvement, and positive social impact. Pereira's recognition highlights his efforts in philanthropy and helping people outside of his fighting career. The Forrest Griffin Community Award is one of the UFC's most prestigious honors for fighter contributions to society. This acknowledgment adds to Pereira's growing legacy both inside and outside the sport.
Alex Pereira, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Forrest Griffin Community Award, the promotion announced on April 12.
The Forrest Griffin Community Award is among the UFC's most prestigious honors, presented annually to a fighter whose positive influence extends well beyond competition. This year's selection recognizes Pereira's philanthropic efforts and his commitment to making a meaningful impact in communities outside of the sport.
Pereira, 38, carries a professional record of 13-4 and holds the light heavyweight title under the UFC banner. The Brazilian standout, who trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, has built one of the most compelling careers in combat sports. Standing six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, the orthodox striker known as "Poatan" posts a remarkable 5.16 significant strikes landed per minute alongside a striking accuracy of 62 percent — figures that reflect elite-level precision and pressure.
Why it matters
- The award underscores that Pereira's legacy is being shaped by contributions both inside and outside the octagon
- Recognition from the UFC at this level elevates his standing as one of the sport's most prominent ambassadors
- At 38, his continued presence as champion paired with this honor cements a multidimensional public profile rarely seen at the top of a weight class
The Forrest Griffin Community Award itself carries significant weight within the sport, named for the longtime UFC veteran and Hall of Famer whose own post-career work set a standard for fighter involvement in charity and public service. Pereira joining that lineage of recipients adds a notable chapter to his growing legacy as a champion whose reach, in every sense, extends far past the cage.
