Before UFC fight, Poatan remembers the 'bar guy' and motivation to overcome alcoholism and help his family

Alex Poatan recalled the time he overcame alcoholism. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/UFCBrasil

Three days before defending the light heavyweight belt (up to 93 kg) for the third time this year, Alex Poatan has been reflecting on his career in order to strengthen his mind before fighting Khalil Rountree at UFC 307, an event held next Saturday (5). In an interview on the program ESPN's Lionheart Lounge, the Brazilian recalled his time at the bar, when he gave in to pressure from his colleagues to start drinking.

The habit became routine, to the point where Poatan drank almost a liter of cachaça a day. However, at that same time, the fighter found motivation in kickboxing to overcome his alcoholism. At Glory Kickboxing, the star was champion in two divisions: middleweight and light heavyweight. But he wanted more. His success at Glory served as a springboard for the athlete to join the UFC.

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“Well, I was doing well mentally. At Glory, they were also providing me with a good financial situation, where I never imagined I would get to where I am now. And, well, everyone knows the UFC, everyone who becomes a champion. Even those who don’t become champions have a better financial situation, where they can help their family and the people around them. That motivated me a lot, that’s why I went to the UFC to fight MMA,” he explained during the interview.

Poatan knew his potential

Poatan also added that he knows his potential and feels grateful for overcoming difficulties and being able to provide a better life for his family today.

“I knew my potential and I knew I could achieve a lot, maybe not all the things I am achieving, but I knew I could go very far and that was my motivation, to be able to have a better financial situation to help my family and now I can do that.”

Alex Poatan and Khalil Rountree face off in the main event of UFC 307, in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States, on Saturday night (5). The event also features the bantamweight title fight (up to 61,2 kg) between Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña.