Poatan speaks out about his UFC contract and says Jake Paul takes advantage of the situation: 'That's why he provokes'

Jake Paul during video call with Alex Poatán. Photo: Reproduction/DAZN

PUBLICITY:

Amidst the anticipation for the long-awaited fight between Mike Tyson e Jake Paul, the name of Alex Poatán, the current UFC light heavyweight champion (up to 93kg), is back on the agenda. The Brazilian, who had already accepted the YouTuber's challenge for a boxing match, saw his plans frustrated by the organization.

In an interview with journalist Ariel Helwani, Poatan expressed his frustration with the situation and the difficulties imposed by the exclusivity of his contract with the UFC. He also questions whether, if there had been an agreement with Dana White about going into boxing, Jake would still be firm in his challenge.

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“I can’t just leave. Of course I’m interested, but I have a contract with the UFC and I can’t just leave. I think that’s why he’s provoking me and saying all this. I think if the UFC was a league that allowed everyone to fight anywhere, I don’t think he would be saying this,” said the champion.

Poatan has a contract with the UFC and a deal is currently considered out of the question. Athletes' contracts with major organizations, such as Dana White's company, tend to be quite restrictive. The exclusivity clause, present in most of these agreements, prevents fighters from participating in events of other promotions, even in different categories.

Jake Paul in boxing

The insistence of Jake Paul in challenging UFC fighters to boxing matches reveals the search for a crossover that would attract even more attention to the sport and to his own career.

The YouTuber, who has already defeated several former UFC champions, such as Anderson Silva and Tyson Woodley, sees confrontations against elite athletes as a way to legitimize his status in the fighting world. He faces Mike Tyson on November 15th.