You’ve seen the face. That terrifying, unmoving stone mask that stares a hole through opponents before Alex Pereira sends them to the shadow realm with a left hook that shouldn't even be physically possible. But if you catch "Poatan" on a random Tuesday three weeks out from a fight, he looks… different. Kinda approachable, actually. He’s got a full head of hair, a goofy grin, and he’s probably posting a video of himself prank-scaring his sister or eating a massive steak.
Then, fight week hits. The hair disappears. The "Stone Hands" persona takes over. For the casual fan, seeing Alex Pereira with hair is like seeing a shark wearing a hat; it just feels wrong. But there’s actually a lot of intentionality behind the switch. It’s not just about aerodynamics or "looking tough."
It’s a transformation.
The Mystery of the Shaven Head
Basically, Alex Pereira isn't bald. A lot of people assume he is because we only ever see him under the bright lights of the Octagon with a scalp that looks like it was polished by a professional jeweler. In reality, he has a remarkably thick, dark head of hair with a hairline that most 37-year-old men would literally fight a bear to keep.
Honestly, the "Bald Poatan" is a choice. He’s talked about this on his YouTube channel and during UFC Embedded episodes. When he has hair, he says he looks like a "good guy." He looks like a dad, a neighbor, or the guy who fixes your car and charges you a fair price. But Alex doesn't want to be a "good guy" when he’s walking into a cage to trade leather with killers like Jiri Prochazka or Magomed Ankalaev.
He shaves it to "look like he's ready for war." It’s a psychological flip of the switch. By the time he’s standing in the Octagon, the smiling guy who likes to give fans haircuts is gone. Only the hunter remains.
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That Time Everyone Freaked Out Before UFC 320
If you follow the sport closely, you probably remember the minor meltdown the MMA community had leading up to his second fight with Magomed Ankalaev in late 2025.
Photos surfaced of Alex in training camp with a significant amount of hair. I’m talking a full, lush crop. Fans on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) were genuinely concerned. "Is he taking the fight seriously?" "The aura is gone!" "Hair Pereira is a different fighter!" It was wild how much people associated his winning streak with his lack of hair.
Then, right on cue, the video dropped. Alex sitting in a chair, a razor buzzing, and clumps of hair falling to the floor while Sepultura blared in the background. The "Aura" was restored. He went out and dismantled Ankalaev just like everyone else. It proved that while the hair might hide the killer, it doesn't actually get rid of him.
The Indigenous Connection
It’s worth noting that Pereira’s look isn't just about intimidation. He is deeply proud of his Pataxó indigenous roots. His trainer, Belocqua Wera, was the one who helped him rediscover that heritage during his early kickboxing days in Brazil.
When Alex shaves his head and puts on the traditional face paint for his weigh-ins, he’s tapping into a lineage of warriors. The bow-and-arrow ritual he does during his walkout isn't just a gimmick—it’s a tribute. The hair-to-bald transition is part of that ritualistic preparation.
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Is "Hair Pereira" the Better Version of Poatan?
There’s a funny debate among fans about which version of Alex is superior.
- Bald Alex: 2-division UFC Champion, destroyer of worlds, 100% intimidation factor.
- Hair Alex: Prankster, wholesome dad, surprisingly good at English, gives better hugs.
We actually saw a very human side of "Hair Alex" when he visited a cancer treatment center. There’s a video that went viral of him meeting a young fan named Ashton who was about to lose his hair due to chemotherapy. In a moment that broke the internet's heart, Alex sat down and let the kid shave his head.
Alex was visibly emotional, crying as he shared that moment of solidarity. That wasn't a PR stunt. That was the guy behind the mask. He even reunited with Ashton later in 2025 after the kid beat cancer, proving that the "Stone Hands" actually have a pretty big heart.
The Logistics: Does He Have a Secret Barber?
You’d think a guy who makes millions of dollars would have a high-end stylist on retainer. Nope. Alex is frequently seen cutting his own hair—or even better, cutting other people's hair.
He’s given "fresh fades" to Tai Tuivasa and various content creators like PapiGio. He’s surprisingly decent at it too. Fans have joked that he should open a shop called "Chama Cuts" once he retires. Considering how many people he's "retired" in the Octagon, he’s certainly used to ending things quickly and efficiently.
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What about the Turkey trip?
In late 2025, Alex posted a video of himself in Istanbul. Immediately, the "hair transplant" rumors started flying because, well, that’s what athletes do in Turkey. But Alex clarified he was there for the experience (and maybe some minor maintenance). Given his natural hairline is already solid, he’s not exactly a candidate for a full reconstruction. He just likes the lifestyle.
Actionable Insights: The Poatan Philosophy
So, what can we actually learn from Alex Pereira’s hair habits? It sounds silly, but there’s a legitimate lesson in "costuming" your mindset.
- Define your "War Mode": Just as Alex shaves his head to signal to himself that it’s time to get serious, you should have a physical trigger for your own high-stakes moments. Maybe it's a specific outfit, a certain desk setup, or even a specific song.
- Separate the person from the performer: It’s healthy to be a "good guy" 95% of the time, but you need to be able to access your inner "Poatan" when you’re closing a deal or hitting a PR in the gym.
- Don't fear the change: Alex doesn't care if people think he looks "better" with hair. He does what’s necessary for his performance. Prioritize your goals over your vanity.
Next time you see a picture of Alex Pereira with hair, don't be fooled by the smile. The "Stone Hands" are still there, just waiting for the razor to come out.
If you want to track his next transformation, keep an eye on his training camp vlogs about two weeks before a fight. The moment that hair hits the floor, you know the "Chama" is about to be very, very real.