5 times Alex Pereira won over the internet with 'Chama' antics
Alex Pereira's signature catchphrase, 'Chama,' is as endearing as it is effective. The 37-year-old Brazilian combat sports great is known for being a man of few words. Nevertheless, he's capable of displaying eloquence and discussing important matters at length when need be.
Pereira's catchphrase 'Chama' has multiple meanings in Brazilian-Portuguese language, including 'flame' or a motivational call like 'let's go.' It's gotten so deeply embedded into fight fan lore that some of his actions often elicit one-word responses from his supporters, who express their approval by simply stating, 'Chama.'
With rumors swirling about Pereira's long-awaited comeback, potentially in a fight against archrival Magomed Ankalaev next, today we revisit some of his captivating moments/actions. We'll look at the five times 'Poatan' won over the internet with his 'Chama' antics.
#5 Alex Pereira's rollercoaster moments
Alex Pereira's rollercoaster videos have garnered considerable viewership over the past few years. Pereira was seen on different rollercoaster rides, often alongside his then-partner Merle Christine (whom he's since separated from), and his sons Alessandro Vidal Silva and Lohan Vidal Silva.
Pereira is known for maintaining a stone-faced expression the majority of the time, which soon became a running joke in the MMA community. Fans jestingly speculate about the former two-division Glory kickboxing champion's uncanny ability to maintain a poker face even in high-pressure situations.
His stoic expressions are often compared to those of Eastern Polynesia's Easter Island statues, with memes inspired by the stone-faced historical monuments often being used by fans to show their support for 'Poatan.' Pereira possesses a great sense of humor and is quite self-aware about how some of his mannerisms could be perceived as a form of deadpan comedy.
Taking to Instagram back in 2023, Pereira had famously posted a photograph of himself enjoying a rollercoaster in Germany, whilst sporting his trademark stoic expression. He even seemingly alluded to the contrast between the fun and thrilling activity and his unchanged facial expression. His statement attached to the post read:
"Today is being a very fun day in Germany. Chama [*flame emoji]"
Check out the post below:
#4 Biggest 'Chama' dance
Alex Pereira and his coach Plinio Cruz, who often serves as his translator as well, often perform Pereira's 'Chama' dance -- be it in the locker room on fight night or at a party. In November 2024, social media influencer and UFC interviewer Nina-Marie Daniele posted a video to her social media handles, featuring what was supposedly the biggest 'Chama' dance ever.
The video appeared to have been filmed at Cruz's MMA gym in Nutley, New Jersey, U.S.A. The camera initially showed Pereira, Cruz, and a few others doing the 'Chama' dance. It gradually moved backward, revealing Daniele and many other people doing the dance with spectacularly organic synchronization.
Moreover, the gym members were later seen chanting the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion's catchphrase, 'Chama.'
The video and dance's lighthearted nature was praiseworthy. It also reminded fans that Pereira -- who's considered by many as one of the top superstars in the UFC -- is a truly sporting and down-to-earth person who doesn't shy away from partaking in fun group activities despite being a stoic combat machine.
Watch the special dance segment below:
#3 Alex Pereira's garbage bag skit
Fighters like Alex Pereira and reigning UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili have gained considerable notoriety as prominent social media influencers. They've provided netizens with an excellent blend of combat-related content and comedic content from the broader pop culture dominion.
A recent notable example of the same came when Pereira put forth an Instagram video featuring a pair of female garbage collectors. The women were riding on the sides of a garbage truck and going about their job of collecting waste. It was quite evident that the video, which had been circulating online, didn't originally feature 'Poatan.'
However, he capitalized on the trend of reacting to that particular video, and comically filmed himself squatting inside a garbage bag, implying that he too was a part of the waste and waiting to be collected by the females. His coach Plinio Cruz then entered the frame and seemed to inquire what he was doing wrapped in the garbage bag.
Well, Pereira hilariously gestured and drew his attention to the side, and the video edit cut to the female waste collectors. Cruz then attempted to enter the same bag Pereira was in, but the latter stopped him and threw him another bag. Each wrapped in a garbage bag, they smilingly waited for the waste collectors. Fans reacted to it, with many alluding to Pereira's effortlessness in regard to comedy.
Watch the hilarious skit below:
#2 Alex Pereira reacts to getting pranked at his home
Back in late 2023, a video featuring Alex Pereira gained considerable attention among netizens. It was reportedly filmed by Pereira's sons, with one of them recording from upstairs. The other son, donning an apparent alien costume with a mask, was hiding behind a wall.
Pereira entered the house and turned the lights on, following which he was welcomed by a jump-scare from the alien costume-donning individual. The veteran fighter seemed to instinctively get into a fighting stance and almost punched the masked prankster.
The cameraperson, believed to be one of his sons, who was recording from upstairs, loudly clarified that it was just a prank. Thankfully, Pereira exercised restraint and refrained from unleashing his combat arsenal against the pranksters. He then admonished them for attempting a prank of that ilk.
For his part, the UFC icon was subsequently showered with praise for the composure with which he handled himself despite facing a jump-scare that could've rattled and elicited an extreme reaction from almost anyone.
Watch the prank below:
#1 'Poatan' gifts Glover Teixeira a motorbike, smiles during heartwarming conversation
Back in 2023, Alex Pereira made waves by gifting his longtime grappling mentor, training partner, and friend -- Glover Teixeira -- a motorbike. Pereira has often indicated that Teixeira, a Brazilian-American BJJ savant and ex-UFC light heavyweight champion, has played a pivotal role in his MMA career.
'Poatan' has also credited Teixeira for helping him before he achieved superstardom. Given Pereira's meteoric rise since joining the UFC in 2021, he was eventually able to afford luxuries such as high-end motorbikes. Speaking of which, he gifted a Harley-Davidson motorcycle to Teixeira.
The magnificent two-wheeler was delivered to Teixeira's home and parked inside his garage. When the MMA veteran returned home, Pereira and the latter's sons welcomed him, eventually showing him his gift. Teixeira proceeded to sit on the motorbike and start it, eventually fighting back tears at his friend's kind gesture.
Now, Alex Pereira has often received laudation for his respectful and kind actions and social welfare work. Similarly, his gesture for Teixeira, someone whom he's worked so closely with for years, truly struck a chord with netizens. Pereira posted the video to his YouTube channel as well.
Watch Alex Pereira's heartwarming video below: