Summary (tl;dr)

UFC fighters Tracy Cortez and Alex Pereira have publicly confirmed their relationship on New Year's Day 2026, sharing intimate photos and videos on social media that quickly went viral among MMA fans.

Essential Background

Alex Pereira is a highly decorated Brazilian mixed martial artist and former kickboxer, known as a two-division UFC champion, having held titles in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. Tracy Cortez is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's women's flyweight division, with a strong grappling background and a professional record of 12-3-0. Cortez was previously in a public relationship with fellow UFC fighter Brian Ortega, which ended in 2023. Pereira also recently went through a split from his previous relationship.

The Full Story

On January 1, 2026, UFC stars Tracy Cortez and Alex Pereira officially announced their relationship to the public. Both fighters shared posts on their respective Instagram accounts during their New Year's celebrations. Pereira posted a photo with his arms around Cortez, captioned "New year" in Portuguese, while Cortez shared a video of them sharing a New Year's kiss surrounded by sparklers. This public confirmation, which caught many fans by surprise as their relationship was previously undisclosed, rapidly spread across social media and became a major talking point within the mixed martial arts community.

Why It Matters

The revelation of a relationship between two prominent UFC fighters, particularly a two-division champion like Alex Pereira and a rising contender like Tracy Cortez, generates significant interest among fans. It provides a rare glimpse into the personal lives of athletes who often keep such details private, sparking widespread discussion and excitement on social media. The unexpected nature of the announcement, combined with their respective profiles in the sport, has led to them being dubbed a "new power couple" in the MMA world. This trend can boost their public profiles beyond their athletic achievements and adds an intriguing narrative for followers of the UFC.

Geographic Location

• None