Fans will have to wait a little longer to see Aline Pereira compete inside the Octagon. Alex Pereira’s younger sister recently missed out on a UFC contract after losing to Smilla Sundell via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) in the co-main event of Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) Season 10 finale.
The defeat leaves the kickboxing standout with a 3-3 professional MMA record. Although the fight was closely contested, Sundell, a former ONE Championship Muay Thai world champion, controlled much of the action with constant forward pressure and high-volume striking.
View this post on Instagram
Pereira managed to secure a takedown in the third round, but it wasn’t enough to convince the judges. While the Brazilian missed out on a contract, Sundell earned her place on the roster despite initial hesitation from Dana White. UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard ultimately helped convince the promotion’s CEO to give Sundell the opportunity.
Following the loss, Pereira received some heartfelt support from her older brother, who took to social media to share a message of encouragement.
Alex Pereira Shares Emotional Message for Sister Aline After DWCS Setback
The former two-division UFC champion expressed how proud he was of his younger sister despite her failure to secure a UFC contract. Sharing a message on Instagram, he wrote, “Today I’m just proud of you, my sister. You faced one of the best in the world, an experienced opponent, and even with a short time in MMA you showed a lot of evolution, grit and courage.”
Pereira also suggested that the judges might have gotten the decision wrong in Sundell’s favor. He continued, “The result didn’t come, and many people had a different view of the decision, but that doesn’t change the size of what you put in there.”
The UFC star also reflected on how his sister had developed as a fighter, crediting her work with Glover Teixeira and the rest of the Teixeira MMA team.
View this post on Instagram
ALSO READ:Daniel Cormier Reveals His Side of the Story After Alex Pereira’s UFC 334 Accusations
He added, “In recent years, I have not been so close to your training, and I believe that this distance has also made you find your own path and evolve even more. You didn’t settle; you ran back and grew a lot with Glover and the entire Teixeira MMA team.”
The 39-year-old wrapped up his message with a reminder that one defeat doesn’t define a fighter’s career. He concluded with, “A fight doesn’t define an athlete. You have proven that you belong at this level, and you still have a lot to come. I’m extremely proud of you as an athlete and especially as a brother. I love you.”
Aline Pereira Sends Loving Message to Alex Pereira After UFC Contract Setback
Aline didn’t take long to respond to her brother’s heartfelt message, thanking “Poatan” for always being there for her and serving as a source of inspiration throughout her career.
The 36-year-old replied in the comments section of his post, writing, “I love you, little brother! You know how important you are to me and how much I look up to you. You’ve always been by my side, believing in me and supporting me, and that is priceless. Having you as a brother is a blessing from God. Thank you for everything—for every word and for never stopping believing in me.”
View this post on Instagram
She added, “I am so proud of you and so grateful to have you in my life. I love you so much! Thank you for everything you’ve done and continue to do for me. I am so incredibly grateful. May God continue to bless your life always.”
Aline previously competed on the undercard of the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano, which streamed on Netflix in May. However, her latest defeat leaves her at a crossroads in her MMA career, with three wins and three losses since turning professional in 2022.
Meanwhile, Alex Pereira is preparing for his next challenge against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335 on December 12. While Aline regroups after missing out on a UFC contract, it remains to be seen what the future holds for the Pereira siblings inside the world of combat sports.