The only thing about Alex Pereira that rivals his achievements inside the Octagon is his tumultuous love life. Over the past year, from high-profile relationships to cryptic social media posts, the former UFC light heavyweight champion has kept fans constantly guessing about his love life. So, who is Pereira seeing now? And has he truly moved on from past heartbreak? 

As 2026 begins, those questions feel even more relevant. Recently, ‘Poatan’ sent social media into a frenzy when he confirmed his relationship with fellow UFC star Tracy Cortez, instantly setting the MMA world abuzz. Meanwhile, as Pereira continues to command headlines both inside and outside the cage, it is worth taking a closer look at the relationships that have shaped his life beyond the Octagon.

Alex Pereira’s ex-wife and the mother of his kids

Alex Pereira often shares glimpses of his life with his two sons on social media, showing a side of him that’s far from the stone-cold killer he is inside the Octagon. Outside the cage, ‘Poatan’ is a loving father of two young boys, named Alessandro Vidal Silva and Lohan Vidal Silva. Not much else is known about his sons, who are frequently seen cheering him on from the sidelines.

Yet, despite all the public glimpses of his family, one mystery remains. Who is the mother of his children? Her identity has never been revealed, and Pereira has remained tight-lipped about that chapter of his life. The Brazilian likes to keep his personal life private, and we do not even know her name.

Top Stories

Brian Ortega Gives Classy Response to UFC Fans Rubbing Alex Pereira and Tracy Cortez’ Relationship in His Face

Sean O’Malley Labelled “Racist” by Song Yadong Over Conor McGregor-Style Antics Ahead of UFC 324

Joe Rogan Raises Alarming Doubt Over Tom Aspinall’s UFC Career After Eye Injury: “He’s Fu**ed Up”

After Tracy Cortez Breakup, Brian Ortega Shares Emotional Confession on His Wife and Kids

Who Is Arman Tsarukyan’s Father? Nairi Tsarukyan’s Net Worth, Profession & Businesses

Alex Pereira’s ex-fiancee Merle Christine

Alex Pereira’s past relationship with Merle Christine ended in a storm of controversy. The UFC champ revealed in an interview that he discovered something shocking. It is alleged that Merle was married during their time together.

During an interview, Pereira explained, “Well, it’s a little hard to talk about this, because, for me, I already deleted this person from my life. I would also like to ask my fans to also delete her from your life. It was a person I believed (in). I put her in my house together with my family. After all, I found out that she was married.”

His response? A clean break. The 205 lbs juggernaut not only removed any trace of their relationship from social media but also urged his fans to do the same. The fallout didn’t stop there. Pereira later accused Merle of assault, claiming he had video evidence of an incident. The drama escalated, turning what was once a picture-perfect romance into a public spectacle.

Were Alex Pereira and Polyana Viana in a relationship?

Adding another chapter to the Brazilian’s personal life, it was rumored that the former 205 lbs champ was dating fellow UFC 115-er Polyana Viana at the end of 2023. Though there hasn’t been any confirmation from either side, there are plenty of indications that Pereira and the UFC strawweight may have been dating last year. 

The most eye-catching one was a clip of the two Brazilians grappling in ‘Poatan’s kitchen. This was only one of the videos shared by the duo where they could be seen giggling and being all giddy while training together and having fun.

Viana even shared a video of her and Pereira playing board games, which would indicate that the duo’s relationship went beyond just being sparring partners. And Pereira was quite fond of her. 

“Polyana is a very simple person. She is conquering her own space. I see a lot of potential in her. Whoever is in the UFC, their dream is to become a champion. And she said that’s my dream. I said me and my team could help her achieve her goal. She is very charismatic. I am not as charismatic… think the fact that her simplicity plays a big part in it,” Pereira said of Viana last year.

However, shortly after the clips surfaced, Pereira and Viana unfollowed each other on social media, signaling the end of their relationship, whether romantic or purely platonic. Viana later appeared to confirm the split at UFC 303, wearing a T-shirt that read, “I’m his favorite ex,” a message that seemed to say far more than words ever could.

Pereira and Tracy Cortez make their relationship official

Last year, rumors linked Alex Pereira to several women, but he focused on rebuilding his professional career. Early in 2025, he struggled and lost his title to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 while battling an injury. As a result, fans and critics questioned whether his striking could match a Dagestani powerhouse like Ankalaev. However, at UFC 320 in October, Pereira silenced those doubts by knocking out Ankalaev in seconds to reclaim his belt. Now a two-time champion, he is embracing a new chapter in both his career and personal life.

Recently, Pereira confirmed his relationship with Tracy Cortez with a public kiss on social media. Both fighters shared the moment on their Instagram stories, smiling and visibly happy. Cortez wrote, “Entering 2026,” with a heart emoji, while Pereira, addressing his 7.7 million followers, posted a photo of him holding Cortez by the waist with the message “Happy New Year.” 

With these posts, there is no longer any room for doubt about the relationship of the UFC’s most beloved champion.