Poatan faces his opponent before the fight. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC
Alex Poatan is focused on the heavyweight division (up to 120,2 kg), but he wouldn't be willing to return to the light heavyweight division (up to 93 kg) to frustrate Paulo Borrachinha 's plans . After knocking out Azamat Murzakanov , the Minas Gerais native, who still has one fight left on his UFC contract, became one of the favorites to challenge for the division's belt, currently held by Carlos Ulberg . A situation that the Pataxó fighter claims could be disrupted with a phone call.
In an interview with Laerte Viana's MMA channel, Alex Poatan explained that he has an agreement with the UFC that allows him to compete in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. Despite the possibility of returning to his former division, the Brazilian emphasized that his main goal is to win the heavyweight title, especially given his limited time in his career.
“I can fight in the lower weight class or in the heavyweight division. It’s an agreement I have with the UFC, you understand? But honestly, I really want to fight in the heavyweight division. I’m 39 years old, it’s almost over, and I still have a chance to achieve this,” said Alex Poatan.
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Poatan also revealed that, should he realize he won't have an opportunity to fight for the heavyweight title, he could return to light heavyweight and ask for a fight against Paulo Borrachinha . The Brazilian indicated he would be willing to face his compatriot and adopted a provocative tone, stating he would do everything to complicate his rival's plans.
“If I saw that I had no chance, I’d go back to light heavyweight. I’d call Hunter right now and say, ‘Borrachinha wants to fight? Let’s fight. Is he doing the last fight of his contract? Then put me against him.’ I’d screw up his life,” concluded the Pataxó fighter.
Alex Poatan and Paulo Borrachinha exchange barbs.
Recently, Paulo Borrachinha has become yet another of Alex Poatan 's adversaries . The fighter from Minas Gerais criticized the Brazilian's continued presence in the light heavyweight rankings and also his position among the heavyweights , even without having won a single fight in the division.
Poatan, in turn, countered the criticism and stated that, if he wants, he can return to the light heavyweight division and even jump the queue for a title fight, frustrating Borrachinha's plans in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
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