TLDR
- Alex Pereira has withdrawn from a planned UFC event at the White House
- The Brazilian champion called his participation ‘a no-go’ without providing specific reasons
- The White House card would be the first MMA event held at the presidential residence
- Pereira is the current UFC light heavyweight champion with multiple successful title defenses
- The UFC has not announced whether the White House event will proceed without him
Sources: Mundo Deportivo | hungamaexpress.com | AOL.com
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has withdrawn from a planned fight card at the White House. The Brazilian fighter, known by his nickname “Poatan,” confirmed he will not participate in the historic event.
The UFC was planning an unprecedented event at the White House, which would have been the first MMA card held at the presidential residence. Pereira was expected to be one of the main attractions for the card.
Pereira recently indicated on social media that his participation is “a no-go.” The champion did not provide specific details about why he chose to withdraw from the event.
Shock exit: Alex Pereira withdraws from the UFC’s White House eventhttps://t.co/SKa0wQBrGb
— Mundo Deportivo 🇺🇸 (@MD_inEnglish) December 17, 2025
The White House fight card represents a unique moment in UFC history. No mixed martial arts promotion has ever held an event at this location before.
Pereira’s Recent UFC Success
Alex Pereira has become one of the UFC’s biggest stars since joining the organization. He first won the middleweight championship before moving up to light heavyweight.
The Brazilian fighter captured the light heavyweight title and has successfully defended it multiple times. His knockout power and striking ability have made him a fan favorite.
Pereira’s background in kickboxing has translated well to mixed martial arts. He previously competed as a professional kickboxer before transitioning to the UFC.
The 36-year-old fighter has headlined several major UFC pay-per-view events. His fights consistently draw large audiences both in arenas and on television.
Impact on the White House Card
The UFC has not yet announced a replacement for Pereira on the White House card. The promotion also has not confirmed whether the event will proceed as planned without him.
Other fighters who were expected to compete on the card have not been officially announced. The UFC typically keeps details about special events under wraps until closer to fight time.
Pereira’s withdrawal comes as a surprise to many fans who were excited to see him compete at such a unique venue. The fighter has been active throughout his UFC career and rarely pulls out of scheduled bouts.
The timing of the announcement leaves questions about the status of the entire White House event. The UFC has not released an official statement addressing Pereira’s withdrawal.
Alex Pereira via X:
“Looks like the White House is a NO GO!!”
That means no Ilia Topuria or Alex Pereira on the White House card! pic.twitter.com/dkTvUPA3Ky
— MMA UNCENSORED (@MMAUNCENSORED1) December 17, 2025
No information has been provided about whether Pereira will fight at a different venue instead. The champion’s next scheduled appearance remains unclear.
The White House event was seen as a major promotional opportunity for the UFC. Having a champion of Pereira’s stature would have added prestige to the historic card.
Pereira continues to train at his gym and has shown no signs of injury or health issues. His social media posts suggest he remains in fighting shape despite pulling out of the White House appearance.
The UFC has not announced a new date or alternative plans for Pereira’s next fight. Fans will need to wait for official word from the promotion about both the White House event and the champion’s future booking.
