Poatan's absence creates chaos in the light heavyweight division; understand the new era of the category without the Brazilian.

Alex Poatán in a face-off inside the octagon in UFC 313. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.

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Alex Poatán He's on his way to making history in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), but he left a big gap in the light heavyweight division (up to 93 kg). The Pataxó The category's belt became vacant. and is scheduled to face Cyryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title (up to 120,2 kg) in UFC White House, scheduled for June 14th. Given this development, the SUPER LUTAS team decided to answer a question that arose: what happens to the light heavyweight division without the Brazilian?

Before analyzing the scenario of the division without Alex PoatánIt is necessary to outline what is already concrete. In this sense, UFC 327, which takes place this Saturday (11), marks the first major step for the category without the Brazilian. This is because Jiri Prochazka faces Carlos Ulberg in the main event, in a fight that will determine the vacant title.

Poatan's victims get a new chance in the light heavyweight division.

Jiri Prochazka e Magomed Ankalayev are highlights of the UFC light heavyweight division. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS Montage

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Following in the footsteps of Jiri Prochazka, who will already be competing for the title, Magomed Ankalayev, Khalil rountree e Jamahal hill They renew their hopes of reaching the belt with the rise of Alex PoatánThe trio was brutally knocked out by the Brazilian and would hardly have a rematch in the short term if he were still at the top.

The path, however, tends to be different for each one. Ankalaev, who even managed to beat the Brazilian in... UFC 313However, he was knocked out at UFC 320, and it seems he only needs one more win to return to title contention. Khalil rountree, which lost to Jiri Prochazka Recently, you'll have to put in a little more effort.

To Jamahal hillHowever, the scenario is more complicated. With three consecutive losses, the American needs to regain the fans' confidence and, certainly, pay attention to who is climbing in the rankings before thinking about a new ascent towards the title.

New generation of light heavyweights gains momentum in the race.

Ulberg won in UFC PerthPhoto: Reproduction/X/UFCBrasil

As much as Carlos Ulberg, who will already be fighting for the title, Azamat Murzakanov, Bogdan Guskov, dustin jacoby e Zhang Mingyang They are gaining momentum to become the new protagonists of the 93 kg division. Without Poatan, seen as the UFC's biggest star today, the spotlight on the category tends to redistribute. In this scenario, the quartet of knockout artists increases their chances of winning over the public and, consequently, reaching the belt.

Veterans attempt another climb in the category.

Jan Blachowicz He is a former UFC light heavyweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Besides Johnny Walker e Dominick reyes, who also face each other at UFC 327 looking to leave their slump behind, Jan Blachowicz, Volkan oezdemir, Aleksandar rakic e Nikita Krylov They form the group of veterans who see a new horizon in the category after the departure of Alex Poatán.

Poatan's absence in the light heavyweight division causes a mass rise in the middleweight division.

P. Borrachinha once again provoked K. Chimaev (Photo: Montagem/SUPER FIGHTS)

In addition to the different profiles that make up the light heavyweight division, the rise of Alex Poatán This may have caused an exodus of middleweight fighters (up to 83,9 kg). Pulling the movement, Paulo borrachinha He was the first to change categories and is already taking action against... Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327.

Besides the miner, Robert whittaker, Reinier DeRidder e Khamzat Shimaev They made it clear that they also intend to move up and should soon be competing in the 93 kg division.

Caio Borralho, the best Brazilian in the middleweight rankings, in an exclusive interview with SUPER FIGHTSHe denied a change in category, but indicated that his teammates' decision is directly linked to the promotion of Alex Poatán.

“I’m a middleweight, I want to stay at my weight… But if they want to move up, fine, let them. They think it’s going to be easy. That’s a thought many people have regarding the light heavyweight category, also because it no longer has the…” Jon Jones "Not even Poatan. Because when Poatan was in that category, nobody wanted to move up; now that he's going to heavyweight, everyone wants to move up," he said. Caio Borralho.