The start of 2026 brought an unexpected announcement from two well known UFC fighters. Alex Pereira and Tracy Cortez confirmed they are together after sharing personal moments on social media shortly after the New Year arrived.
Both athletes used Instagram Stories to post images taken during a nighttime celebration, leaving little doubt about their relationship status.
Social Media Confirmation
Pereira posted a photo showing the pair outdoors, dressed in coordinated sweaters. In the image, he stands behind Cortez with his hands around her waist as she holds sparklers. The Brazilian fighter captioned the post with the words “New year” written in Portuguese.
Cortez followed by sharing another image from the same setting. This photo showed the two fighters kissing, offering a clear confirmation that the moment was more than a friendly holiday celebration.
Tracy Cortez and Alex Pereira kicked off the New Year by going public as a new couple 🥂
(via @AlexPereiraUFC) pic.twitter.com/28x0Y4VsUv
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 1, 2026
Just days before the New Year, Cortez had already revealed she would be spending the holiday season in Brazil. In an earlier Instagram post, she explained her focus during the trip, writing that she was “focused on training, bettering my craft, evolving, growing in every way possible.”
She also mentioned that this marked her “first Brazilian Christmas.”
Pereira has not competed since October, when he reclaimed the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 320. In that fight, he defeated Magomed Ankalaev by knockout just 80 seconds into the bout, avenging a decision loss from earlier in the year.
Following that victory, Pereira publicly discussed interest in a future matchup involving Jon Jones at a proposed White House event. However, those plans later changed. Pereira acknowledged the shift by posting a photo alongside UFC president Dana White with the caption “Looks like the White House is a no go!!!”
Cortez previously had a high profile relationship within the sport, having been engaged to Brian Ortega. Her recent stay in Brazil suggests she has been spending extended time near Pereira’s home base while continuing her training.
Pereira was previously linked to Merle Christine earlier in the decade, though that relationship ended several years ago. Entering 2026, Pereira holds a professional MMA record of 13 wins and 3 losses, splitting two bouts with Ankalaev in 2025.
Cortez currently stands at 12 wins and 3 losses and recorded one victory across two appearances last year.
While neither fighter has publicly stated when their relationship began, their New Year posts made it clear that they are now comfortable sharing this part of their lives publicly.
As both continue preparing for upcoming competition, the pair appears to be entering 2026 with personal and professional momentum.
