Alex Poatán e Magomed Ankalayev staring down before the fight (Photo: Instagram)
The recent statement of Magomed Ankalayev, implying that Alex Poatán would have refused to face him in a rematch in UFC 317, which takes place during International Struggle Week at the end of June, is true. At least that's what journalist Ariel Helwani guarantees.
On Monday's (12) edition of his daily program, the Canadian stated that, in fact, Alex Poatán refused a proposal to face Magomed Ankalayev at the event on June 28th, but not because I didn't want to, but because I wasn't available on that date.
See too
“Right now, they (UFC) don’t have a main event for International Fight Week. From what I’ve been hearing, what Magomed Ankalayev “The statement you posted is correct. They did, in fact, call Alex Pereira and offer him the fight. Ankalaev wrote that Pereira received the offer and did not want the fight. It’s not that he did not want it, he is unavailable. The timing is not working for him,” Helwani said.
The journalist made a point of coming to the defense of Alex Poatán in this case. According to the Canadian, the initial plan was for the rematch with Ankalaev to take place in August. Due to the sudden changes in plans, Helwani even believes that the Brazilian was disrespected and that this culminated in the recent and controversial post venting against the UFC, in which claimed to have been hacked.
“Are you really going to question this guy? The guy who fought three times in six months last year? Four times in 11 months? The plan was August, but since they’re struggling, they asked if he was available for June. So, I hate to say this, but I don’t think he was hacked. I think he was disrespected. I think he posted it or asked someone to post it. I hate to say it, but he should feel that way,” the journalist concluded.
You need login To comment.