Alex Pereira has suggested that Josh Hooker may not have a future in the UFC beyond his upcoming fight on the White House card. Pereira stated he has heard things about Hooker that he is not prepared to discuss publicly, adding that while Hooker cannot be removed from the current card, his continued place in the promotion is uncertain. Pereira stopped short of direct criticism but made clear he has doubts about whether Hooker will remain part of the UFC roster.
Reports emerged on June 10 that UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has cast doubt over Josh Hooker's long-term future with the promotion, suggesting Hooker's spot on the upcoming UFC White House card — scheduled for June 14 — may represent his last appearance in the organisation.
Pereira, who holds the light heavyweight title at 13-4-0, stopped short of direct criticism but indicated he has heard information about Hooker that he is unwilling to share publicly. The Brazilian champion made clear that while Hooker cannot be pulled from the current event, his continued place on the UFC roster is far from guaranteed in his view. It should be noted this report is unconfirmed, and the UFC has made no official statement on the matter.
Pereira, nicknamed "Poatan," is 38 years old and trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness. The six-foot-four Brazilian owns a 79-inch reach and has established himself as one of the most dangerous strikers in the division, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 62 percent.
Why it matters
- Pereira's comments, if accurate, raise questions about the internal standing of fighters ahead of a high-profile card
- The UFC White House event carries significant promotional weight, making roster decisions surrounding it more consequential
- No official confirmation has come from the UFC, meaning Hooker's status remains unclear until the promotion addresses the situation directly
Sunday, June 14, 2026
