Alex Poatan reveals that he already asked for a fight against Ankalaev and that the Russian did not accept

Poatan says it was Ankalaev who did not accept the confrontation. Photo: Reproduction/Montage SUPER LUTAS

PUBLICITY:

In recent days, an old rivalry has returned to the MMA scene with the approach of UFC 308 this Saturday (26), in Abu Dhabi. All because the next challenger for the light heavyweight belt (up to 93kg), today with Alex Poatán, can be defined as the winner of the fight between Magomed Ankalayev e Aleksandar rakic, which takes place on the main card of the event. The Russian has been provoking for some time now, always accusing the Brazilian of running away from the confrontation and that he is protected by Dana White.

But things are not quite the way Ankalaev says. In an interview with the YouTube podcast MMA Today, Alex Poatán revealed that, in fact, he asked for a fight against the Russian and that it was he who didn't accept.

“When I stay quiet and they think I’m running away from the fight, then they can say whatever they want, because I haven’t said anything yet. But from the moment I come here and say that I’ve already asked for the fight… Ankalaev ran away once saying it was because of his fast there (Muslim fast or Ramadan fast), so the guy takes the opportunity to say that I’m scared and throw the responsibility onto me and take that responsibility away from them,” said Poatan.

See too

Dana White sends message to Topuria and ignores possible challenge to Makhachev in UFC

On the eve of UFC 308, Chimaev responds to Whittaker and provokes: 'Maybe he'll fall by knockout'

Sports graduate, sambo master, but never finished: Ankalaev arrives at UFC 308 'eyeing' Alex Poatan

The Brazilian reiterated that Ankalaev's fights are boring and that, if the approach were different, it could even help the Russian so that the fight actually happens.

“They know that fights are boring, I’m not the one saying it, everyone knows that. But instead of asking for help, ‘Hey man, help me out, I’ll put up a good fight with you, I’ll do my best…’, but no. They prefer to throw it at me and say that I’m scared. Man, why don’t they ask Dana?”, added the Brazilian.

Against Rakic, Ankalaev needs to win and convince. The Russian revealed that Dana White imposed that he demonstrate an impeccable performance against his opponent in the UFC 308 to secure the opportunity to challenge Poatan for the belt.

Climbing to the heavyweights

During the podcast, Alex Poatán said he should return to the UFC routine from mid-January next year. He was asked, if it happens, if he would prefer to drop to the middleweight category (up to 83,9 kg) or move up to the heavyweight category (up to 120,2 kg).

“Heavyweight is closer for me. Medium is more complicated. I’m heavy, but not too light, so moving up is quicker than cutting weight. I maintain a weight of 103 kg, so moving up another 5 kg, to 108 kg, maximum 110 kg, will be good, I’m not far away. I want to be heavy, but not so much to stay agile,” he concluded.