UFC fighters Alex Pereira and Tracy Cortez have decided to go their separate ways, mere days after the two went public with their relationship to mark the new year.
In a statement shared to his Instagram Stories on Thursday (January 8), Pereira suggested no ill will regarding the split. As of this writing, Cortez does not appear to have shared her own statement.
"Thank you my fans for all the love," Pereira wrote on IG. "I would like to communicate with you guys that even though me and Tracy shared great moments together, we decided it would be better for the both of us to go our separate ways. I wish her nothing but the best in her journey."
Shortly after announcing the split, Pereira shared a video of himself jogging in the rain.
The short-lived couple made headlines at the top of 2026 after taking their relationship public, complete with photos showing them donning matching tops. However, just over a week later, the high-profile couple serve as the latest reminder of the arguable impermanence of everything.
Cortez, who is of Mexican descent, shared on Instagram two weeks ago that she would be spending her holidays in Brazil while "focused on training, bettering my craft, evolving, growing in every way possible." She also said she celebrated her "first Brazilian Christmas."
According to Bloody Elbow, Pereira has not fought since reclaiming the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 320 in October, when "Poatan" knocked out Magomed Ankalaev in just 80 seconds to avenge a decision loss to the Russian fighter earlier in the year at UFC 313.
After that win, Pereira spoke repeatedly about wanting to fight UFC legend Jon Jones at a proposed White House event on June 14, but those plans have changed.
Pereira recently posted on Instagram with a photo of himself and Dana White, writing, "Looks like the White House is a no go!!!!
The initial relationship announcement from Pereira and Cortez followed a year stacked with noteworthy developments from the sports world at large, including a French Open win for Coco Gauff and the first NBA Finals Game 7 showdown in nearly a decade. Take a deeper look back here.