Alex Poatan opens up about his friendship with Ilia Topuria; watch the video.

Ilia Topuria e Alex Poatán Together on a private jet. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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the friendship between Alex Poatán e Ilia Topuria This has caught the attention of MMA fans. The Brazilian went into detail about his relationship with the current Ultimate lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg). The former champion of the middleweight (up to 83,9 kg) and light heavyweight (up to 93 kg) divisions revealed how the two athletes became close and also praised the Georgian-Spanish fighter's attitude outside the octagon.

When discussing the friendship in an interview with journalist Álvaro Colmenero, Poatan explained that the contact began during a training period organized by the team led by Plínio Cruz. According to the Brazilian, the relationship became even closer after a trip alongside the lightweight champion.

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"The Ilia Topuria He was a really nice guy to us during that White House event. He got in touch with Plínio, went to train at his gym, gave him support… then we started talking. Later, we had a flight and he said, 'Hey, we have some seats on the private jet, do you guys want to come with us?' I said, 'Right away.'

"We went, he gave us a ride, and we started to develop a better relationship. We weren't that close before, but you can see that he's a really cool guy, very polite. It's nice to be surrounded by people like that," Poatan said in the interview.

🫡 Respect, respect and more respect: this is how Alex Pereira tells us how his relationship with Ilia Topuria

🎙️ @KOlmeneroMMA#UFCHBOMax pic.twitter.com/sBOwaQuFTN

- Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) May 9, 2026

The topic of friendship gained traction after Topuria defended Poatan during the press conference. UFC White House, held last Friday (8), when Josh Hokit provoked the Brazilian in front of the press.

Alex Poatan gives his opinion on Topuria x Gaethje at UFC Casa Branca

During the conversation with journalist Álvaro Colmenero, Poatan also analyzed Topuria's next fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The lightweight champion will face... Justin gaethje in the main fight of UFC White House, on June 14th, in Washington DC (USA), in a duel valid for the unification of the category's belt.

"You can definitely see that he's a very dedicated, serious, disciplined, and very strong guy. Just look at his last fights. He's very well prepared. I think it's going to be a great fight and a great show for everyone," said the Brazilian.

It's worth remembering that, in addition to following the challenge in Topuria, Poatan will also have a historic opportunity ahead of him. The Brazilian faces Cyryl Gane Seeking the interim heavyweight title (up to 120,2 kg). If he defeats the Frenchman, the São Paulo native will become the first fighter in UFC history to win titles in three different weight classes.