Does Alex Pereira have kids? Viral MMA internet joke about 'Poatan's' "son" explained

Alex Pereira is arguably one of the scariest fighters inside the octagon. From his demeanor to his fighting style, everything makes him look scary. However, he is certainly a lovable guy outside of it. On social media, 'Poatan' often shows his humorous side for his fans to see.

In 2023, Pereira started a joke himself when he posted a picture with his partner while holding the replica of a moai figure and referred to it as his 'adopted child'.

For those unaware, the Brazilian is often linked to the historical Easter Island moai because of his stoic facial expressions. While it's hilarious to imagine the moai to be Pereira's 'adopted child', 'Poatan' actually enjoys a fulfilling family life.

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Does Alex Pereira have kids?

It is worth noting that Alex Pereira has two sons, Alessandro Vidal Silva and Lohan Vidal Silva with his ex-wife. Moreover, he has jokingly started to refer to the moai figure as his son and calls him 'Tony'. The UFC fighter has been seen taking him around as well as a part of the joke. Take a look at some of the posts he has made with it below:

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Alex Pereira speaks about how he wants to inspire his sons - "I need to set an example"

Alex Pereira's sons, Alessandro and Vidal, frequently join him during fight week and attend his training sessions, as shown in various social media videos and UFC promotional materials. Known for his classy conduct, Pereira is often praised by fellow fighters for treating staff with the utmost respect.

Pereira aims to set a positive example for his sons to follow, and in an interview with Sports Illustrated, 'Poatan' explained that he prefers to lead by example rather than explicitly teach lessons to his children, stating:

“I need to be a good example for them. That’s what is most important to me. I don’t force them to train. I need to set an example. They watch and they want to be part of it. That’s the cool thing. Glover helps show them a lot, too.” [H/T Sports Illustrated]

Pereira is scheduled to return to the octagon on March 8, where he will face Russia's Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 313 main event in an attempt his fourth light heavyweight title defense. Unlike many of his previous opponents, Pereira has been involved in a heated verbal rivalry with Ankalaev, which seems to be intensifying as fight night approaches.