Brazilian fighter Alex Pereira is drawing mixed reactions after footage surfaced of him filming for his first Hollywood role, just weeks before his light heavyweight title rematch at UFC 320 on October 4. Pereira is set to face Magomed Ankalaev again after losing the belt earlier this year in a unanimous decision.
The movie, titled Onslaught, is an action horror film produced by A24. It stars Adria Arjona, known for her role in Hit Man, and Rebecca Hall from The Night House. Directed by Adam Wingard—who also directed Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and Blair Witch—the film tells the story of a mother living in a trailer park who defends her family against a danger released from a military facility.
Details of Alex Pereira’s Role in ‘Onslaught’
In this new project, Pereira plays a villainous character called The Butcher, marking a significant expansion of his career beyond fighting. However, many UFC and fight fans have expressed concern about his commitment to training, as this acting venture comes so close to his crucial rematch against Ankalaev.
Social media platforms, especially X, have been flooded with fan reactions questioning Pereira’s priorities and readiness. Some fans worry that stepping away for filming could affect his performance in the octagon.
“YOU HAVE A FIGHT TO TRAIN FOR WTF.”
—Anonymous Fan
“This mf never winning in the UFC again. Man has gone Hollywood.”
—Anonymous Fan
“Never good for fighters’ careers when they start taking other jobs.”
—Anonymous Fan
“Smart to look for a new career after Ank ENDS HIM.”
—Anonymous Fan
Magomed Ankalaev’s Confidence Ahead of UFC 320 Rematch
Meanwhile, Magomed Ankalaev, who currently holds the light heavyweight title, is openly confident about his upcoming fight with Pereira. Since the unanimous decision victory at UFC 313, the Dagestani champion has been vocal about his intention to finish the rematch decisively.
Ankalaev demonstrated effective wrestling and striking skills in their previous encounter, unsettling Pereira during the second round. He plans to push Pereira further in their next bout, seeking to dominate the fight with both grappling and stand-up tactics.
“Dana White announced my next fight on October 4th, I’m knocking Alex out this time. There is no other way; get ready for the big show.”
—Magomed Ankalaev
Implications of Pereira’s Hollywood Move on His Fighting Career
Pereira’s choice to appear in a Hollywood film while preparing for a high-stakes UFC rematch has ignited debate about the risks fighters take when branching out beyond sports. While his acting debut could enhance his public profile and open up future opportunities, the timing raises questions about how seriously supporters believe he is approaching the fight camp.
How Pereira balances these dual ambitions in the coming weeks may influence not only the outcome of UFC 320 but also the trajectory of his career inside and outside the cage.