Meet Alice Pereira, the 19-year-old Brazilian phenom who’s taken the MMA world by storm.
Known for her devastating knockout power and an impressive 6-0 record, the "Golden Girl" of Bantamweight is officially the newest addition to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). And the way she got signed? It’s straight out of a Hollywood movie.
Pereira’s journey hit a major milestone on December 14, 2024, when she captured her first regional championship at Cage Masters FC 2. After her electrifying win, she made an emotional plea to UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard, boldly asking for a chance to prove herself on the biggest stage in MMA.
Fast forward to Christmas Eve: UFC CEO Dana White dropped a bombshell Instagram story featuring Pereira receiving the phone call from Maynard himself. The matchmaker delivered the life-changing news—Pereira had been signed to the UFC. Her reaction? Pure joy and gratitude.
Pereira later took to social media, posting,
“Who would’ve thought that Alice Pereira, the little girl who dreamed of just debuting in MMA, is now the newest addition to the biggest MMA organization in the world?
She continued,
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think Dana White would call me on Christmas Eve wearing a shirt with my name on it to give me the best gift of my life. And Mick Maynard posting my video on his personal Instagram? It’s surreal! But I won’t let the hype distract me—I’m just getting started.”
With an 84% finish rate and four knockouts to her name, Pereira’s rise in the Bantamweight division is nothing short of meteoric. While she’s already being dubbed the "next big thing," the young powerhouse is keeping her focus sharp, vowing to work twice as hard to achieve her dreams.
For the record—she’s not related to Alex Pereira.
But with her talent, she’s making a name for herself just fine.
This story of hard work, determination, and a little holiday magic is proof that dreams really do come true—especially when you’re a knockout artist like Alice Pereira. Watch out, UFC Bantamweight division, because the "Golden Girl" is coming!