Alex Poatan's rival downplays Magomed Ankalaev's chance of victory over Brazilian in UFC

Magomed Ankalayev e Alex Poatán can face each other next year (Photo: Montage/SUPER LUTAS)

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After Jan Blachowicz give an opinion on the outcome of a possible fight between Alex Poatán e Magomed Ankalayev, now it was the turn to Jiri Prochazka 'sticking their nose in' about one of the most talked about subjects at the end of this year. Victim of the Brazilian twice, when lost the belt light heavyweight (up to 93kg.) for him in the UFC 295 and depois in the rematch No. UFC 303, the Czech fighter shares the same idea as his Polish rival that Ankalaev still needs 'a lot of beans' to achieve anything against the best fighter of 2024.

In an interview with The Ariel Helwani Show, Prochazka downplayed the Dagestani fighter's chances of dethroning the current UFC light heavyweight champion, despite his current good form. Ankalaev remains undefeated in the organization, with 13 wins.

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“I don’t think so [Ankalaev has no chance of beating Poatan], especially if he fights like he’s been saying he’s going to fight, just striking. Sorry, no [chance]. If Alex is in the same shape he’s shown in his last fights, 100% no. [Ankalaev] is winning his fights, but he’s not showing his performance. But he’s still winning. So, let’s see,” Prochazka analyzed.

Ankalaev and Poatan have been exchanging barbs in the second half of this year, with the Brazilian always responding to the Russian's provocations, but never giving him 'much moral authority'. Ankalaev accuses his rival of running away from a fight with him and the UFC of protecting him, while Poatan claims that the Russian has a boring fighting style. Ironic that Ankalaev, who is strong in grappling, has never submitted anyone in the UFC. Perhaps this is the flaw in the performance that Prochazka referred to.

Whether Poatan and Ankalaev will face each other next year, only time will tell, as the Brazilian has been trying to move up to the heavyweight category (up to 120,2kg), where he would face the champion Jon Jones. Meanwhile, Prochazka awaits his next fight against the 'loudmouth' Jamahal hill No. UFC 311, first numbered event of 2025.

Jiri Prochazka was a victim of Alex Poatán twice in the UFC (Photo: Instagram/UFC)

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Poatan and Ankalaev

The dispute between Alex Poatán e Magomed Ankalayev should be the next title fight in the light heavyweight division. The Brazilian, champion since November 2023, has already successfully defended his belt on three occasions, against Jamahal hill, Jiri Prochazka e Khalil rountree. Already Magomed Ankalayev proved to be one of the main names in the category by putting together a sequence of 13 victories, which took him to first place in the ranking and the position of first in line for the 'title shot'.