Alex Pereira Named 2026 UFC Hall of Fame Forrest Griffin Community Award Winner

The Brazilian fighter is recognized for his charity work helping youth in his home country.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:20pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a youth mentorship or jiu-jitsu training session, with overlapping planes of bright colors and abstract shapes representing the positive impact of Pereira's charitable initiatives.A cubist interpretation of the transformative community work being done by UFC star Alex Pereira through his non-profit Instituto Poatan.Las Vegas Today

Alex Pereira, the former two-time UFC light heavyweight champion, has been selected as the winner of the 2026 Forrest Griffin Community Award, which honors an athlete who has done exceptional volunteer and charity work that has made a meaningful impact on their community. Pereira will receive a $25,000 donation to the charity of his choice through the UFC Foundation.

Why it matters

The Forrest Griffin Community Award highlights UFC fighters who use their platform to give back and make a positive difference. Pereira's work through his non-profit, the Instituto Poatan, to provide free after-school tutoring, computer literacy programs, and jiu-jitsu training to over 500 local youth in Brazil exemplifies the kind of impactful community engagement the award seeks to recognize.

The details

Pereira founded the Instituto Poatan (Poatan Institute / Poatan Cares Foundation) in 2024 with the mission of 'promoting social and sports initiatives, using sports as a tool for transformation.' The non-profit aims to encourage, expand, and spread sports practices that drive social, educational, and community development. Through the institute, Pereira has directly helped hundreds of young people in Brazil access educational resources and opportunities they might not otherwise have.

  • Pereira will be honored at the 2026 UFC Hall of Fame ceremony on July 9 in Las Vegas.
  • He founded the Instituto Poatan non-profit in 2024.

The players

Alex Pereira

A former two-time UFC light heavyweight champion who is being recognized for his exceptional volunteer and charity work through his non-profit organization, the Instituto Poatan, which provides free after-school programs and resources to over 500 youth in Brazil.

Dana White

The CEO of the UFC, who praised Pereira's use of his platform to give back to the community and help create better lives for young people in Brazil.

Forrest Griffin

The former UFC light heavyweight champion whose name is attached to the community service award that Pereira is receiving.

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What they’re saying

“Alex is one of the biggest stars in the world and it's great to see him use his platform to give back to the community by helping youth in Brazil. By offering free after-school tutoring, computer literacy programs, and jiu-jitsu training to more than 500 local youth, he is directly helping the students create better lives for themselves. It's an honor to present him with this award.”

— Dana White, UFC CEO

What’s next

Pereira will be formally inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame on July 9, 2026 in Las Vegas, where he will receive the $25,000 donation to the Instituto Poatan through the UFC Foundation.

The takeaway

Pereira's recognition with the Forrest Griffin Community Award highlights the positive impact UFC fighters can have when they leverage their platform and resources to make a meaningful difference in their local communities. His work through the Instituto Poatan serves as an inspiring example of how professional athletes can use their fame to uplift and empower young people.