Adesanya recalls victory over Poatan and reinforces his 'salvation' of the UFC middleweight division.

Alex Poatán was knocked out by Israel adesanya No. UFC 287 (Photo: Instagram/UFC)

Israel adesanya believes he has rid the middleweight division (up to 83,9kg) of a major problem by defeating Alex PoatánThe Nigerian faced the Brazilian in UFC 287, in 2023, and after accumulating three defeats in direct confrontations, managed to surpass the rivalFollowing the result, the Pataxó athlete opted to move up to the middleweight division (up to 93kg), a move that, in the former champion's view, directly impacted the category's landscape.

In an interview with Full Send MMA, Adesanya stated that Poatan's victories before their fight were achieved with relative ease, highlighting the Brazilian's dominant level. The former champion also suggested that his victory prevented his rival from continuing to impose his dominance on the other athletes in the division.

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“All the fights Alex had before fighting me were easy wins because he’s simply a monster. I said the middleweights should thank me, they don’t need to, because I was talking nonsense, but yes, if it weren’t for me, he would be terrorizing this entire division, and they wouldn’t stand a chance against that son of a bitch,” he said. Israel adesanya.

Israel Adesanya hasn't won since facing Alex Poatan at UFC 287.

Alex Poatán e Israel adesanya facing each other in the octagon UFC 287 (Photo: Instagram/UFC)

PUBLICITY:

After being defeated by Poatan twice in kickboxing and once for the UFC middleweight title (up to 83,9kg), Adesanya had another opportunity against the Brazilian in... UFC 287, held in April 2023 in Miami. This time, however, the outcome was different.

After struggling with low kicks in the first round and pressure at the start of the second, the Nigerian surprised everyone by landing a precise counter-punch that knocked out his rival, regaining the division title against his former nemesis.

However, since his victory over Poatan, Adesanya has not won again. The former champion has competed in three more matches and was ultimately defeated by... Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis e Nassourdine Imavov, being defeated by unanimous decision, submission, and knockout, respectively.

Now, Adesanya has a new chance to return to winning ways. The Nigerian faces off against joe pyfer in the main fight of UFC Seattle next Saturday (28).