When you hear the name ‘Chama’, who comes to mind? It has to be Alex Pereira—his towering presence and calm demeanor make him unmistakable. While he might appear stoic outside the Octagon, inside it, he transforms into a missile with a deadly left hook that has floored some of the UFC’s top names. However, in recent memory, the Brazilian has been garnering more attention outside the Octagon rather than inside of it. Remember his humorous exploits in Korea, where he was seen doing the iconic ‘Chama’ dance? Or his trip to Australia ahead of UFC 313, where ‘Poatan’ was seen attending a concert in Sydney and even met Drake at the event?

These exploits have partially been the reason for him dropping his 205lbs gold to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313. But that doesn’t diminish his credibility—not in the slightest. Even after the setback, Pereira hasn’t taken his foot off the gas. From showing up at the VIP lounge during UFC 315 to starring in a high-fashion GQ photoshoot, he’s still firmly in the spotlight. Currently, Pereira is on a trip to Japan and has even shared some snippets from the journey. Most recently, he was seen training with RIZIN’s tallest fighter, Ed Polo King, who stands at a towering 6’8”.

The 23-year-old Japanese heavyweight prospect has burst onto the global MMA scene with authority, having dominated his pro debut against 1-3 veteran Satoshi Kamiyama. But with Pereira? It’s not that easy. A recent video on social media captured the duo engaged in a sparring session, drawing plenty of buzz. Combat Sports Today posted, “RIZIN heavyweight King Edokpolo sparring with former UFC champion Alex Pereira.”

Despite standing at 6’4″, Pereira was controlling the fight with sharp distance management, making the towering RIZIN star visibly uneasy. And it’s quite natural! The Brazilian is perhaps the deadliest striker in all of MMA in 2025, and we know the power he carries in his piston-like fists. But let’s see what the MMA community had to say about this recent linkup.

Fans react to Alex Pereira dominating Rizin sensation Ed Polo King

Fans on both Instagram and X have been bombarded with their comments on the video. They said things like, “I thought that guy had never trained before,” and “How much does Rizin pay its fighters?” Well, King is known for his training and performance. He not only secured a first-round KO victory in his debut but also trains in Lutte avec frappe (Senegalese wrestling), which is a highly popular wrestling style recognized in Senegal.

As for the payment, his payouts are not in the public domain. However, RIZIN pays well, as per Roberto Satoshi, who talked to MMA Fighting back in 2021. He said, “I make good [money] in RIZIN, I have no desire to go to the UFC. I would hardly make in the UFC what I make in RIZIN. The Japanese MMA market is good for me financially [laughs].”

One follower hilariously wrote, “Epic matchup! Can’t wait to see the highlights!” while another fan said, “Damn… Pereira is so good.” Indeed, he is amazing inside the Octagon with his powerful left hook, amazing precision, and elite stand-up game. One follower said, “So much nervous energy with the other guy, can’t blame him tho.” Another fan chimed in, “Legendary Alex Poatan Pereira,” while a follower commented, “Alex’s understanding of distance is top tier.”

The former 2-division champ’s punching power and distance accuracy are a mystery, and he moves like a storm inside the cage — but a calculated storm. He is eerily calm, and his nonchalance might be mistaken for him being uninterested. “Even a few minutes before a fight, Alex looks like he is going to the grocery store, not into a cage fight,” said his coach, UFC legend Glover Teixeira. Before UFC 313, ‘Poatan’ spoke to UFC.com and said, “Sometimes my power even scares me.” So imagine what happens to his opponents!

Do you think Pereira will show his prowess again in the next fight? Tell us in the comments below.