UFC fans are slightly worried following Alex Pereira’s time spent in Australia over the weekend.
The 37-year-old was in attendance for Drake’s concert at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on Sunday and was spotted indulging in a brief conversation with the Canadian rapper afterwards.
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He shook the hand of Drake before turning to the camera and uttering his trademark ‘Chama’ phrase, which translates to ‘let’s go’ from Portuguese when used as slang.
MMA fans were quick to realise that this may not have been the most ideal meeting for Pereira.
“Oh no… Alex Pereira is going to lose now,” one fan wrote on X.
Another added: “No fighter wants Drake to bet on them.”
The ‘Drake Curse’ has become an internet phenomenon in recent years due to the downfall of sporting stars after they have interacted with the 38-year-old.
Put simply, if Drake poses for a photo alongside an athlete or has publicly voiced his support for any particular person, they will more than often go on to lose — even against the odds.
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya fell victim to the ‘curse’ when he lost his belt in 2022.
Adesanya was knocked out by Pereira at Madison Square Garden, which subsequently cost Drake around £1.2million after he had backed the Nigerian-born New Zealander to get a win.
In the world of boxing, Anthony Joshua was seen posing with Drake in the lead-up to his first defeat in his professional career where was knocked out by an unfancied Andy Ruiz Jr in June 2019. However, the picture was taken before Ruiz stepped in for Jarrell Miller before the latter’s failed drugs test.
Brazil’s MMA superstar Pereira has been on a global tour since his last UFC fight in October, visiting countries including Mexico, South Korea and Georgia.
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‘Poatan’ was also at the same venue in Australia last weekend to support his training partner Sean Strickland, who fell to a unanimous decision defeat against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312.
Pereira defended his UFC light heavyweight title three times in 2024 and is gearing up for his octagon return next month.
He takes on Russia’s Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 next month, with a fight against UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones also on his radar.
The 37-year-old is a two-division UFC champion, having also claimed the middleweight belt with his victory over Adesanya in November 2022.
‘Poatan’ then went on to win the light heavyweight title, moving up a division to defeat Jiri Prochazka following a KO loss to Adesanya in their rematch.
Pereria has named Jones as a future opponent in what would be a blockbuster clash. However, the Brazilian also didn’t rule out eventually making a move into the boxing world.
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“I don’t know, I think anything is possible,” Pereira said, responding to a question about fighting Oleksandr Usyk, who became boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight champion in nearly 25 years when he beat Tyson Fury last year.
“It’s something I can’t plan, but it is something I would really like to do,” Pereira added.
“That’s something that I really want. I’m under contract with the UFC. We know [Conor] McGregor did it [against Floyd Mayweather in 2017]. I don’t know how I would, but someday I would really like to do it.”
Pereira faces Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 9.
Justin Gaethje will have it out with Dan Hooker in the co-main event for what is set to be a mesmerising five-round bout.
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