Alex Poatan responds to challenge proposed by UFC rival and says when he wants to fight

At the UFC 300, an event that took place in April, in Las Vegas (USA), Alex Poatan defended the light heavyweight (93 kg) belt for the first time by knocking out Jamahal Hill and then became a target. Without wasting time, Magomed Ankalaev not only challenged the Brazilian, but also proposed that the category’s title fight be held in October, in Abu Dhabi (UAE). Therefore, ‘Poatan’ did not leave the Russian without an answer.

It is worth noting that, so far, the UFC has not confirmed Ankalaev as the next challenger for the light heavyweight belt. In any case, the category champion does not seem willing to put the title on the line for the second time in Abu Dhabi, that is, at his rival’s home. It’s true that ‘Poatan’ has no problem facing the Russian next, but he makes it clear that, if he were to fight again only in the final stretch of 2024, his preference would be to perform in New York, in November, in the event that the company should hold it at ‘Madison Square Garden’, where it will have the support of fans.

“I don’t want to fight at the end of the year. I want to fight sooner, so maybe that shows he won’t be ready. This guy is complicated. Honestly, I have to see what’s best. I’m here to fight, but I don’t really understand other things, like where it’s best to fight and where it’s not. If I have to fight there, I’ll go, but if it’s not a good date, then it’s not the best for me. I can say no. It makes perfect sense (fighting in the United States). Wait another month and fight at home? It’s much better”, declared the UFC champion, in an interview with the website ‘MMA Fighting‘.

Registration of ‘Poatan’ in MMA

Alex Pereira, 36, became UFC middleweight champion in 2022, and, a year later, won the light heavyweight belt. The Brazilian began his career in MMA in 2015 and built a record consisting of 12 fights, ten wins, eight of which were by knockout, and two defeats. His main triumphs were over Israel AdesanyaJamahal Hill, Jan Blachowicz, Jiri Procházka It is Sean Strickland.