Summary
Jon Jones and Alex Poatan face off to promote their UFC superfight. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC
For many, Jon Jones vs. Alex Poatan at UFC White House was the big fight to be made, but that clash, it seems, will remain only in the imagination of the fans. At the grand event scheduled for June 14th in Washington (USA), the Brazilian will be in the octagon not against 'Bones' but against Ciryl Gane , in a fight for the interim heavyweight title (up to 120,2 kg). Therefore, the MMA community lamented the company's decision, but Michael Bisping did not.
UFC Hall of Famer and current commentator ignored Jones and stated that MMA fans and professionals have nothing to complain about, as Poatan vs. Gane is an even better fight. According to Bisping, the co-main event of UFC Casa Branca between the strikers can't be anything other than a stand-up battle.
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Conversely, the American, who is the sport's biggest icon due to his completeness, experience, and exceptional fight IQ, could frustrate the renowned striker and finish him quickly, just as he did against 'Bon Gamin' in 2023. It's worth noting that, like the Englishman, Poatan, who wanted to face Jones, also approved of the fight, and Dana White implied that it is more balanced.
“Well, I really think it’s a better fight than Alex versus Jon Jones . I know a lot of people wanted that, but I think Jon Jones would probably try to wrestle against him. We saw that in the BMF title fight,” said the veteran on the UFC’s official YouTube channel.
“We’ll see Gane and Alex putting on a world-class kickboxing fight with four-ounce gloves. I know we hate to say it, because it’s almost like a curse, but I guarantee this fight will be incredible,” he concluded.
Terror of former champions
Alex Poatan , 38, rose to fame in kickboxing with Glory and made his UFC debut in 2021. From there, the Brazilian experienced a meteoric rise, becoming one of the organization's main stars.
Not surprisingly, the athlete won the middleweight (up to 83,9 kg) and light heavyweight (up to 93 kg) belts. Furthermore, the renowned striker has a record that includes former champions: Israel Adesanya , Jamahal Hill , Jan Błachowicz, Jiri Prochazka (twice), Magomed Ankalaev , and Sean Strickland.
UFC White House card
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje – fight for the undisputed title.
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Alex Poatan vs. Ciryl Gane – fight for the intrinsic title
Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Sean O'Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Bo Nickal x Kyle Daukaus
Featherweight (up to 65,8 kg): Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia
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