Alex Pereira, known as "Poatan," is one of the most formidable strikers in combat sports today. His decorated career in kickboxing and transition into mixed martial arts (MMA) have showcased his devastating power, technical precision, and unique approach to stand-up fighting. Understanding Pereira’s kickboxing stance and fighting style provides insight into why he has achieved such remarkable success against elite opponents.
Pereira primarily employs an orthodox stance in kickboxing, which has served as the foundation of his striking dominance. However, his stance is slightly modified to maximize his power and efficiency. Key characteristics of Pereira’s stance include:
High Guard Position: He maintains a traditional high guard, ensuring both offensive readiness and defensive stability.
Balanced Weight Distribution: Unlike some kickboxers who rely heavily on forward pressure, Pereira balances his weight between his lead and rear foot, allowing quick adjustments.
Slightly Wider Base: His stance is slightly wider than a conventional orthodox stance, providing a solid foundation for generating power and maintaining stability.
Left Hand as a Measuring Tool: While his left hand serves as a jab and range finder, it also helps set up his powerful right-hand shots.
Low Lead Hand Position at Times: Depending on the situation, he occasionally lowers his lead hand to bait opponents and react swiftly with counters.
Alex Pereira is widely recognized as a power striker who blends traditional kickboxing techniques with an intelligent and methodical approach. His fighting style consists of several core elements that make him one of the most dangerous stand-up fighters in combat sports:
Pereira’s left hook is arguably his most feared weapon. With pinpoint accuracy and explosive power, he has knocked out numerous opponents with this single strike. His ability to disguise the left hook behind feints and setups makes it even more lethal.
While he isn’t the most mobile fighter in terms of lateral movement, Pereira’s footwork is highly efficient. He maintains a calm and composed approach, cutting angles effectively and positioning himself to unleash powerful strikes.
Pereira excels at counterstriking, often luring opponents into striking exchanges where he can capitalize on their mistakes. His patience allows him to exploit openings and deliver precise counterattacks with devastating results.
As a former Glory Kickboxing champion, Pereira utilizes brutal leg kicks to weaken opponents over time. His powerful low kicks force adversaries to adjust their stance, limiting their mobility and offensive capabilities.
Despite being an offensive powerhouse, Pereira possesses solid defensive skills, including head movement, blocking, and parrying. He rarely absorbs unnecessary damage, ensuring his longevity in fights.
Pereira is not a volume striker but focuses on landing significant strikes with surgical precision. His striking combinations often involve:
Jab to left hook
Right cross to left hook
Low kicks followed by straight punches
Uppercuts in close-range exchanges
As Pereira transitioned into MMA, he made notable adjustments to his kickboxing style to accommodate grappling and clinch work. These adaptations include:
Improved takedown defense: Training with elite MMA grapplers has enhanced his ability to defend against takedowns.
More controlled aggression: Instead of full commitment to power shots, he now picks his moments more strategically.
Use of clinch strikes: Leveraging his Muay Thai clinch to land knees and short-range strikes.
Alex Pereira’s kickboxing stance and fighting style make him a formidable opponent in both kickboxing and MMA. His combination of power, precision, counterstriking ability, and strategic efficiency has allowed him to dominate in the stand-up game. As he continues to evolve in MMA, his technical prowess and striking fundamentals will remain the backbone of his success. Whether in the ring or the cage, Pereira’s approach to fighting cements his status as one of the most feared strikers in combat sports history.
