Alex Poatan and Ciryl Gane will face each other at UFC Casa Branca . Photo: SUPER LUTAS montage
Alex Poatan , it seems, will not be at a physical disadvantage against Ciryl Gane at UFC White House , scheduled for June 14th. The Brazilian faces the Frenchman in the co-main event, in a duel that marks his debut in the heavyweight category (up to 120,2 kg) and is for the interim title of the division. To promote the fight, the protagonists held a face-off on the lawn of the United States presidential residence.
Since announcing the change in weight class, Poatan has faced questions about his physical capacity to compete among the heavyweight giants, given that he began his Ultimate career as a middleweight (up to 83,9 kg).
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However, in videos released by his coach, Glover Teixeira , the Brazilian appeared with a body structure similar to Gane's during the face-off, which alleviates doubts surrounding his adaptation to the new division.
Check out the face-off between Alex Poatan and Cyril Gane in front of the White House.
#UFCWhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/6t1DQhzpjx
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) May 6, 2026
Alex Pereira X Ciryl Gane
Via @gloverteixeira #UFCFreedom250 pic.twitter.com/dFYuXv2pfB
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) May 6, 2026
Alex Poatan seeks third UFC belt.
Alex Poatan after his defeat at UFC 313 (Photo: Instagram UFC Canada)
Alex Poatan 's first UFC belt came in the middleweight division (up to 83,9 kg). On that occasion, the Brazilian faced his biggest rival, Israel Adesanya , in the main event of 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 at UFC 287 , Adesanya got his revenge, knocked out Poatan and regained the title.
Exhausted by the weight cut, the Brazilian decided to move up a weight class. After defeating Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291 , he received the opportunity to fight for the light heavyweight title against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295. Poatan knocked out the Czech fighter, won the division title (up to 93 kg), and defended it three times.
Later, he was defeated by Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 , but bounced back to reclaim the title at UFC 320. Now, with uncertainty surrounding Tom Aspinall 's return to defend the undisputed heavyweight title, Poatan faces Ciryl Gane in his debut in the division, competing for the interim title.
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