Alice Pereira Faces Darya Zheleznyakova at UFC Vegas 122

Brazilian mixed martial artist Alice Pereira was scheduled to face Russian bantamweight Darya Zheleznyakova at UFC Vegas 122 on October 10, 2026, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The matchup offered Pereira an opportunity to build on her first UFC victory while testing herself against a more experienced opponent. According to Times of India, Pereira entered the contest at 20 years old with a professional record of 7-1.

Zheleznyakova, 30, brought a 10-3 record into the bout, making the matchup a significant test for the Brazilian prospect in the women's bantamweight division. Pereira made history when she debuted in the UFC in September 2025, becoming the youngest female fighter to compete in the promotion, according to Times of India. Before signing with the UFC, she compiled a 6-0 record on the regional mixed martial arts circuit.

The Brazilian suffered her first professional defeat against Montserrat Rendon at Noche UFC on September 13, 2025. The closely contested fight ended in a split-decision loss, leaving Pereira to pursue her first promotional victory in her next appearance.

She achieved that breakthrough on April 4, 2026, at UFC Vegas 115, defeating Hailey Cowan by second-round knockout. Times of India reported that Pereira finished Cowan with a step-knee strike and received a Performance of the Night bonus for the performance. Pereira's professional record stood at 7-1 ahead of the Zheleznyakova matchup, with five victories by knockout or technical knockout, one by submission and one by decision, according to Times of India. Her background includes kickboxing and Sanda, and she trains with Life MMA and Portugal Top Team.

Physical measurements published by Sports BetMGM listed Pereira at 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a 71-inch reach and a 43.5-inch leg reach. Zheleznyakova measured 5 feet 9 inches, with a 68-inch reach and a 41-inch leg reach. The difference in reach was one factor in the technical assessment published by Sports BetMGM, which described Pereira as a more varied striker who uses longer combinations. Zheleznyakova's approach relies more heavily on boxing, movement and short combinations delivered while moving into range.

Zheleznyakova entered the contest with a 10-3 professional record and four UFC appearances, according to Times of India and The Stats Zone. Since joining the promotion, she had recorded victories over Montserrat Rendon and Melissa Mullins while losing to Ailin Perez and Melissa Croden. The Russian fighter previously held a title in Open Fighting Championship before joining the UFC in 2024, according to Times of India.

Her professional victories include multiple stoppages, reflecting her striking background in boxing and kickboxing. The Stats Zone highlighted a potential weakness in Zheleznyakova's game against opponents who can consistently take fights to the ground. She conceded six takedowns across her two UFC defeats, although Pereira's established strengths are primarily associated with striking rather than grappling.

The matchup also brought together two fighters with different levels of UFC experience. Pereira was seeking to establish herself after her first promotional win, while Zheleznyakova aimed to improve her record following alternating victories and defeats during her UFC tenure.

Despite sharing a surname, Alice Pereira has no known family connection to former UFC champion Alex Pereira, according to Times of India. The younger Brazilian fighter has developed her own career in the women's bantamweight division.