Alex Pereira Speaks Out After Vandalism Threatens $3M Project Close to UFC Star’s Heart

“Starting the renovation of the place where my first social project will take place,” wrote former UFC champion Alex Pereira in an Instagram story earlier this year, hinting at a major initiative close to his heart. With that post, the Brazilian revealed his plans to give back to his roots — to the city where his journey began: São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo. Once notorious for its association with crime and gang activity, the city is also where ‘Poatan’ defied the odds and rose to international fame.

From growing up in hardship to becoming a global name in combat sports, Alex Pereira’s rise through kickboxing and MMA is nothing short of remarkable. With his success, he didn’t just earn championships — he built a brand, amassed wealth, and carried with him a sense of duty to uplift the community that shaped him. Now, as he approaches the twilight of his fighting career, ‘Poatan’ has been quietly laying the foundation for something long-term — a legacy project believed to be an MMA/kickboxing gym aimed at supporting local youth.

While the full details of the facility remain under wraps, the vision is clear: to create a safe space for the next generation in a city that once struggled to offer one. But not everyone shares his vision. Just as the $3 million project neared completion, Alex Pereira encountered a deeply discouraging moment — the building’s walls were vandalized with graffiti, and anonymous threats reportedly emerged. Taking to Instagram once again, Pereira didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration:

“I’m doing a social project in the neighborhood where I was born and where I’ve already spent more than 3 million to help the community. The work was finished yesterday and today I come across the wall with graffiti. It’s this kind of attitude that discourages me! What makes me want to do is invest my money to get a return and guarantee my children’s future,”wrote Alex Pereira on his Instagram story.

MMA: UFC 291 – Blachowicz vs Pereira Jul 29, 2023 Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Jan Blachowicz red gloves fights Alex Pereira blue gloves during UFC 291 at Delta Center. Salt Lake City Delta Center Utah USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJeffxSwingerx 20230729_szo_si8_0318

Following his loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 earlier this year, ‘Poatan’ finds himself in a challenging chapter of his career. Yet, despite the setback, the former light heavyweight champion has remained focused, steadily working toward a potential rematch with the Russian contender. But outside the Octagon, Pereira is facing a different kind of battle — one that strikes at his heart.

Vandalism has marred his latest social project, a multi-million-dollar effort to give back to the community where him grew up. The graffiti scrawled across the walls of his newly completed facility has left him disheartened. For Alex Pereira, it’s more than a personal disappointment — it’s a blow to the very vision he had for empowering his hometown. Now, with doubt creeping in and questions being raised by even one of his UFC peer.

UFC star took a jab at Alex Pereira for his on-camera charity

“From the beginning when I came over here, he loved the way I was helping people in Brazil, taking people to the grocery store. He’s all like, ‘Oh, Glover, I wanna do this. You know? I wanna do that sometime.’ And he started doing it after his first couple of fights in the UFC. Of course, he’s growing now,” said Alex Pereira’s coach, Glover Teixeira, reflecting on his protégé’s deep-rooted desire to give back to the place he came from — a city long burdened by poverty, hunger, and crime.

Driven by pure determination, ‘Poatan’ has remained committed to making a difference. Following his UFC 309 victory last year, he donated a truckload of food to his hometown of São Paulo, a gesture that resonated strongly with the community. Just last month, he was seen again extending a helping hand, assisting locals with groceries — a moment that initially drew admiration but soon stirred debate.

The goodwill gesture came under the spotlight when critics began questioning the motive behind it, suggesting it might be a calculated PR move to polish Alex Pereira’s image following the loss of his UFC title. The video of the event quickly went viral, prompting UFC lightweight Jared Gordon to throw shade at the BRazilian’s actions, commenting, “How nice, do it while there isn’t a camera there.”

Now, with Alex Pereira’s $3 million community project facing unexpected backlash, fans are left wondering — what’s next for the former champ? Could another bold initiative be on the horizon, or will he shift gears entirely? What do you think Alex ‘Poatan’s next move should be? Share your thoughts below.

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