Alex Pereira

Meredith Brown publicly accused Pereira of sexually assaulting her at a New Jersey hotel after UFC 302. In a subsequent deposition produced in another case, Pereira acknowledged meeting her and having sexual intercourse with her but denied rape and maintained that the encounter was consensual. Sportschau reported that authorities had questioned him and that the matter was handled in New Jersey.

State of the evidence

Alleged

Attribution

Directly implicated

Merle Christine, also identified in the case as Merle Brand, accuses Pereira of domestic violence, sexual coercion, controlling behaviour and stalking. Proceedings were filed in Miami-Dade County in July 2025; the docket included an injunction application, an initial refusal of a temporary injunction, several hearings and depositions. The case remained open in June 2026.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Accused

Following his defeat to Ciryl Gane at the UFC White House event, Pereira strongly criticised referee Herb Dean, claiming that several blows to the back of the head had gone unpunished. Video analysis reignited debate about the legality of certain strikes.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Pereira accused Magomed Ankalaev of attempting to avoid or hide from him during an encounter at the UFC Performance Institute, fuelling their rivalry. Ankalaev publicly rejected that account, and more complete footage subsequently showed an ambiguous but tense exchange between the teams.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

A Sportschau investigation based on documents from the Miami proceedings reported that Alex Pereira had been convicted in Brazil before his UFC career following an incident involving his then-wife and had spent 18 days in prison. Pereira confirmed under oath the existence of the conviction and detention.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Directly implicated