Alice Pereira: On the Cusp of UFC History at Noche UFC
Alice Pereira, a rising star from Brazil, is poised to make history at Noche UFC in San Antonio, Texas. At just 19 years old, Pereira aims to become the youngest woman to ever compete in the UFC when she faces Montserrat Rendon.
A Dream Realized: From Brazil to the Octagon
Pereira’s journey to the UFC began with a surprising announcement on Christmas Eve 2024, just days after her 19th birthday. UFC CEO Dana White personally revealed her signing, a rare move for a 5-0 fighter. This immediately placed the "Golden Girl" on the MMA world's radar. The announcement marked the realization of a long-held ambition. She recalled the moment UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard offered her the contract via FaceTime, wearing a shirt emblazoned with her name.
"That was very surreal. Still to this day, when I look back at it, we’re still in shock with everything that happened, but with that feeling of joy that we were able to do what we had planned. Since my debut, every fight we did, every Instagram post I made, every mention, it was all for a reason. From the start, when I said what I wanted, we had a plan set."
Driven by Ambition: Youngest in UFC History
From her early days in MMA, Pereira harbored the dream of being the youngest female competitor in the UFC. She actively encouraged fans to tag Mick Maynard in her social media posts after each victory, strategically building her profile and attracting the attention of UFC decision-makers. While her initial goal was to debut at 18, she's happy to achieve it so soon after.
"That was the intention. I had that ambition from the start, the dream of being the youngest girl [in the UFC]. From the moment I realized the UFC wasn’t such a distant dream, I started to get ambitious. I set out goals, and one the goals was to be the youngest girl in the UFC. The actual goal was to be there by 18. It happened four days later, but it’s alright, it’s great the way it happened [laughs]. It felt great that I had achieved this, that my prediction became true."
Prepared and Calm: Facing Montserrat Rendon
Despite the magnitude of her UFC debut, Pereira remains remarkably composed. She describes feeling "calm" and "relaxed" as the fight approaches. With a professional record of 6-0, including four knockouts and one submission, Pereira is confident in her abilities. Her mother initially wanted her to pursue a conventional career path. Pereira spent years dedicated to the gym, working seven days a week despite this opposition.
Pereira believes Rendon is an ideal opponent to showcase her talent to the world. She anticipates that Rendon, with her 1-1 UFC record, will try to engage in grappling. Pereira is confident that her striking game will prove superior. She is ready to manage the clinch if needed.
"Rendon walks forward and when you push her she tries to grapple, and we know [she will try that]. We think that’s what’s going to happen because I like to impose my game on the feet, and I know it’s going to be better than hers. It’s not a good match-up for her, you know? But I’m ready to get out of the clinch or work on the clinch if I feel like it, too."