Poatan (left) facing Adesanya (right). Photo: Reproduction / Twitter
Born between two middleweight stars (up to 83,9kg) at the time, the rivalry of Alex Poatán e Israel adesanya has led to some remarkable scenes in the recent history of MMA. Now, one fighter is enjoying glory in the top division and the other may be facing the ugly face of decadence. The new atmosphere has brought victories, defeats and – surprisingly – harmony for both.
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However, fans of mixed martial arts must ask themselves at what point in this journey the diametrically opposed athletes became so close that they even wanted to train together. Nothing heals like time…
Rivalry
The rivalry between Adesanya (left) and Poatan (right) was born in kickboxing. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube FREESTYLEBENDER
Alex Poatán e Israel adesanya They have already faced each other in four fights. That's no small feat. Two of the duels were in kickboxing. When they were part of the Glory of Heroes squad, the Brazilian won both battles. One victory came by decision and the other by what would become a constant in their encounters: knockout.
In MMA, Poatan took the Nigerian from the champion's throne by knocking him out No. UFC 281, in 2022. Five months later, in 2023, Adesanya had the opportunity for revenge. He didn't waste it. The payback came with another knockout in this story. And, like the first duel in the Ultimate, in the second round. So, Alex Poatán would suffer his first and only defeat in the organization. Despite being considered, a trilogy between the two in the UFC was nothing more than mere speculation.
In the meanders of collisions in the octagon and after drawing in the largest MMA organization in the world, a lot of provocation. The 'trash talk' became the tone of the relationship between fighters who do not usually resort to verbal attacks with all their opponents. The jabs were creative, including Pikachu costumes, movie references and the involvement of family members' names.
Surprising reconciliation
Adesanya (left) and Poatan (right) talk after UFC 287. Photo: Reproduction / Instagram
Adesanya's only victory over his declared rival came in the UFC 287. After much 'he said, she said' in fight week, the unusual occurred: a meeting after the event, with the right to a hug and the expression of the Nigerian's desire to visit Brazil.
Even without fights scheduled after the episode, the fates of Alex Poatán e Israel adesanya insisted on crossing paths. The Brazilian and the Nigerian met once again in 2023, and in a relaxed atmosphere. The two used social media to show the unexpected meeting at the airport.
“Last day in Australia, now arriving in Los Angeles and look who I find here, guess what, a chance: they got it wrong…. Israel adesanya. Call!” Poatan said as he filmed the then middleweight champion in line. Adesanya plays hide and seek and then greets Poatan.
Guess who I met at the airport? pic.twitter.com/c2xr4MAVUs
— Alex “Poatan” Pereira (@AlexPereiraUFC) May 29, 2023
Adesanya filmed his encounter with Poatan from his perspective, and wrote that his life feels like a video game.
❤️
My life is a video game pic.twitter.com/MoIdUniTJv— Israel adesanya (@stylebender) May 29, 2023
But friendly occasions did not prevent provocative episodes. As, for example, at the end of 2023, when Israel adesanya posted a video on social media imitating a typical move by his opponent. The gesture was interpreted by some fans as a provocation, but there were also those who saw it as recognition of Poatan's skill.
The second half of 2024 was an incisive dose of the best medicine – time – for both of them. Adesanya put the enemy pose aside once and for all and felt comfortable predicting victory for Alex Poatán about Khalil rountree, recalling the power of the Brazilian's kick.
“That leg kick, bro. If you look at that part of his foot, it’s like the back of a hammer, because that’s what he kicks you with. He doesn’t have to rotate his hips. When he hits you, because of his bone density and his long legs, it’s a different feeling. I’ve been kicked by kickboxers my whole life, but when Poatan hits you, the feeling spreads all the way down your calf,” the former champion told 'JRE MMA Show'.
On another occasion, Israel countered a fan who criticized Poatan with the response 'He is very good, show him respect. He is really good. I already beat him, so you can be my fan'.
Character in other people's stories
It was enough Alex Poatán be scheduled for Israel adesanya give an opinion on the fight. In fact, be asked about your opinion. Until UFC 307, in the duel between the São Paulo player and Rountree, decided to put an end to this narrative. And end the rivalry together.
“If Khalil wins, it’ll be like, ‘Well, someone else did that,’ and then they can stop bugging me. They’ll deal with it now, they’ll have that story. My story with Alex is over,” Adesanya said.
Of course, the questions didn't stop. But the answers didn't come with more hate. 'The Last Stylebender' has already received one of the inquiries for Poatan's next duel, against Ankalaev. The response was short, clear and direct: 'Call me!', said Israel.
Adesanya didn't hesitate when asked who would win the fight between Alex Poatán and Ankalaev: “Poatan, FLAME!”
It seems that the Nigerian really surrendered to Índio Pereira!#UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/9grqd04OKg
— MMA Central (@acentraldomma) January 29, 2025
Friendly relationship
Perhaps what could be considered the definitive 'white flag' of this 'war' was raised last weekend, in UFC 312, in Sydney, Australia.
Adesanya and Poatan side by side in UFC 312 (Photo: Instagram)
Alex Poatán – who went to the event to serve as a cornerman Sean Strickland in the middleweight title fight against Dricus du Plessis – and Adesanya – who received an honor and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame for his fight against Kelvin Gastelum – they met in the arena, sat side by side, took photos and recorded videos. The Brazilian even invited them to train together.
In one of these moments, shared by Israel adesanya in a video published on its official YouTube channel, Alex Poatán surprised and made a proposal to the Nigerian, the inviting for a 'partnership' training and stating that they both have a lot to learn from each other.
“Should I call him or not? Tell him that we can think about a partnership. We have a lot to learn from each other. I have a lot to tell him, it will be great. He has a lot to tell me too,” Poatan told Plínio Cruz, his coach, who relayed the message, in English, to Adesanya.
VIDEO: Watch the moment Alex Poatan invited Israel Adesanya
Alex Pereira offers Israel adesanya to come train with him
“Let's get together, let's make this partnership happen.”
@stylebender #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/Z8q11wuFq6
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 9, 2025
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