In July this year, Aline Pereira joined her brother, Alex Pereira, as a champion. Aline was crowned the Karate Combat flyweight champion in Miami after she defeated Fani Peloumpi via unanimous decision. Former two-division UFC champion ‘Potan’ was in her corner, providing the much-needed support alongside coach Plinio Cruz. And this isn’t anything new!

As the 38-year-old prepares for his much-anticipated rematch against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 on October 4 after suffering a devastating loss earlier this year, he appeared in the UFC 320 Countdown alongside his sister. During the episode, the brother and sister duo pulled back the curtain on their time together, as they credited each other for helping them leave behind alcoholism. 

Aline Pereira drank as much as her brother Alex

“We are very close,” Aline said about the bond with her brother. “Since we were teenagers, we have always been close. From the beginning, when I didn’t want to train, he encouraged me… to train. Alex and his sister’s journey is similar in many ways, alongside the signature left hook Pereira is known for. Having competed in amateur boxing, Aline compiled a record of 21-3. The 34-year-old was even part of the WGP Kickboxing promotion, where she went 5-1 overall with 1 KO. 

She dabbled in MMA through Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), holding a 1-2 pro record. And for her latest efforts to make a name for herself, Aline is fighting under the Karate Combat banner, where she is the flyweight champion. And all the credit goes to Alex. “I was able to pay more attention to her, too; we were always together,” the Brazilian knockout king said. “Always in the championships, always traveling together. We even fought at the same time. I try to always be together, in training, [and] in events.” 

However, getting to this point hasn’t been easy for either of them. Alex Pereira was popularly addicted to alcohol, which also affected his fighting career. He wasn’t alone with the struggles with the bottle. “Our journey is very difficult,” Aline confessed, adding, “I didn’t have a healthy life, I drank as much as he did.” Pereira then revealed during the UFC Countdown episode how he turned his life around: “I used to drink and party a lot, but I changed because of the sport.”

And for this, Aline is eternally grateful to his brother, noting, “I can only thank him for everything, for not giving up on me in the beginning. And today, I’m a world champion.” She also shared a prediction for Alex’s upcoming fight, adding, “I see him achieving great things. Whatever he wants, he’ll achieve. Because I’ve never seen potential like this.” Alex Pereira appears to have the same intentions, as he sends a chilling warning to Magomed Ankalaev. 

Alex Pereira unloads on Magomed Ankalaev ahead of rematch

Having lost his UFC gold to Ankalaev, Pereira blasted his Russian opponent for what he calls cowardly behaviour. “Something funny happened just now when I was leaving the PI,” Pereira revealed on his YouTube channel. “They hid the guy in a little room, man. The guy thinks I’m going to run into him and start fighting. Do I look stupid, bro?”

The 38-year-old continued insulting Ankalaev while branding him “a s—ty champion,” adding, “Not because of what he says, but hiding in a room today. He’s shown he’s a coward man. We’ll see. Hiding now. We’ll be in the cage, locked in there. Unless he jumps the fence.” Despite his bold claims, only time will tell whether he can back his claims.

The feelings were not much different last time around. Ankalaev touched upon the subject of Pereira’s past trouble with alcohol, and the ex-champ was not pleased at all. So, he will be coming for revenge on all fronts this weekend.

Having said that, Alex Pereira has plenty of support come fight night, but will that be enough to change the outcome? Share your thoughts in the comments below!