Adesanya ignores Aspinall and predicts Poatan as the true UFC heavyweight champion.

Israel adesanya e Alex Poatán together in the UFC 312. Photo: Instagram / UFC

Israel adesanya believe that Alex Poatán is about to further expand his legacy in the UFC. The Brazilian faces Cyryl Gane na co-main event from UFC Casa Branca, scheduled for June 14th. Although the fight is only for the interim belt, the Nigerian believes that, in case of victory, his former rival will achieve an unprecedented feat by becoming the organization's first triple champion.

In an interview with 'The MacLife', Adesanya downplayed the importance of the interim title and reinforced his confidence in Poatan's success. In the former champion's view, the Brazilian should already be treated as a champion in three different weight classes and, after a possible victory, could even headline a super fight against... Jon Jones.

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"Screw the interim title. Pereira is champion in three different categories. Pereira will be the champion, and then he'll have a super fight with..." Jon Jones.", he said Israel adesanya.

Alex Poatan seeks third UFC belt.

Poatan celebrates his UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

PUBLICITY:

The first belt of Alex Poatán In the UFC, he competed in the middleweight division (up to 83,9 kg). On that occasion, the Brazilian faced his biggest rival, Israel adesanya, in the main fight of the UFC 281, and knocked out the Nigerian in the fifth round, accumulating his third victory over his opponent in combat sports.

In the rematch, held in UFC 287Adesanya got his revenge, knocked out Poatan, and regained the title.

Exhausted from the weight cut, the Brazilian decided to move up a weight class. After winning Jan Blachowicz No. UFC 291, received the opportunity to compete for the light heavyweight belt against Jiri Prochazka, at UFC 295Poatan knocked out the Czech fighter, won the division title (up to 93 kg), and defended it three times.

Later, it was surpassed by Magomed Ankalayev No. UFC 313, but turned things around by regaining the throne in UFC 320Now, given the uncertainty surrounding the return of Tom aspinall To defend his undisputed heavyweight title, Poatan faces Cyryl Gane In his debut in the category, competing for the interim title.

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)

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).