Alex Pereira says “chama” because it became his personal catchphrase and hype word, taken from Brazilian Portuguese where it literally means “flame” and, in slang, works like “let’s go,” “come on,” or “call me/bring it on.” Over time it turned into a simple one‑word way for him to show excitement, invite challenges, and connect with fans even though he speaks very little English.

What “chama” actually means

  • In Portuguese, “chama” literally means “flame,” like fire.
  • In Brazilian slang, people use it more like:
    • “Let’s go” / “Come on”
    • “Call me” / “Summon me” / “I’m here and ready”
    • A hype exclamation, similar to “hell yeah” or “that’s fire.”

Because of that mix, when Pereira yells “chama,” it carries both the idea of heat/fire and a challenge or invitation to action.

Why Alex Pereira uses it so much

  • Pereira started repeating “chama” a lot around the UFC 300 buildup, when fans noticed him saying it in short English‑free interviews and press events.
  • The word caught on at live shows, with crowds chanting “chama” for him at press conferences and fights, and it quickly became part of his brand.
  • It works perfectly for him because:
    • It’s one short word fans can shout with him.
    • It lets him show personality without needing long English sentences.
    • It feels like a battle cry: “Call me, I’m ready, bring the fight.”

How fans and media use “chama”

  • MMA fans spam “chama” and #Chama in comments, memes, and highlight clips whenever he knocks someone out or gets announced for a big fight.
  • It’s become shorthand for:
    • Hype moments (“that KO was chama”)
    • Support for Pereira (“Poatan chama!”)
  • Forum and Reddit users from Brazil often explain it as him saying “I’m available, I won’t run, summon me” in a confident, almost playful way.

Any deeper or darker context?

Most of the time, “chama” is just a fun, high‑energy catchphrase tied to Pereira’s image as a stoic killer with a single hype word. In 2024, the word also appeared in viral TikTok allegations against him, where the accuser said he used the catchphrase during their interaction, which turned it into a talking point in that controversy, though he has not publicly addressed those accusations.

Quick TL;DR

  • Literal meaning: “flame.”
  • Slang meaning: hype word like “let’s go,” “come on,” “call me,” “bring it on,” or “hell yeah.”
  • Why he says it: it’s his signature catchphrase and brand—an easy way to show excitement, invite challenges, and connect with fans despite the language barrier.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.