Poatan focused before fighting in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC
Currently the most popular name in the UFC, a victory against Alex Poatán It usually signifies enormous success for the opponent, especially considering that the Brazilian has already held the middleweight (up to 83,9 kg) and light heavyweight (up to 93 kg) belts during his rapid rise in the world's biggest MMA event. However, what in theory is a dream has become a nightmare. This is because those fortunate enough to overcome the Pataxó Indian experienced terrible phases in their careers immediately after the triumph.
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In this context, SUPER LUTAS decided to get into the spirit of UFC White House and to remember the cruel fate of the three opponents who managed to win. Alex Poatán in MMA.
Check out the list of opponents who defeated Alex Poatan in MMA.
Quemuel Ottoni
Q. Ottoni (left) and A. Poatan (right) stare down before the fight for the Jungle Fight in 2015. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The first defeat suffered by the São Paulo native occurred in his first professional MMA fight, in October 2015, against Quemuel Otoni, as part of the card of... Jungle Fight 82. At that time, the future Ultimate champion was still dividing his time between Mixed Martial Arts and other disciplines. That same year, he had two fights... kickboxing, facing Cesinha Almeida a few months before facing Quemuel.
Taking advantage of his opponent's inexperience, Quemuel showed great resilience and tenacity by using grappling to submit Poatan with a rear-naked choke in the third round. Unfortunately, despite winning some fights after the encounter with the Pataxó Indian, Ottoni suffered from canceled fights and was unable to take advantage of the opportunity to compete in the Contender Series in 2024, as he did not step into the octagon after a Panic attack.
He has only fought twice in the last four years, and is coming off a loss to South Korean Tae Young Yoon at the end of last year at Road FC.
Israel adesanya
Adesanya and Poatan side by side in UFC 312 (Photo: Instagram)
The rivalry between Alex Poatán e Israel adesanya It's one of the most famous and memorable rivalries in UFC history, but it started back in their kickboxing days. These two big names in striking faced off twice in the ring, with the Brazilian coming out on top in both encounters, but in very close duels.
As Adesanya gained popularity and rose to the top of the middleweight division (up to 83,9 kg), it wasn't long before the Brazilian made the definitive transition to MMA, and the two met again, this time in the most famous octagon in the world. The first duel took place in... UFC 281With the title on the line, Poatan delivered a cinematic performance, turning the fight around and winning by knockout in the final round. In the rematch, the Nigerian knocked out his opponent in the second round, marking the end of Poatan's career in the middleweight division (up to 83,9 kg).
Since then, he has never won again. In total, he has suffered four consecutive defeats, three of which were by fast route. The Nigerian was dominated by Sean Strickland, finished by Dricus Du Plessis and brutally knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov e joe pyfer.
Magomed Ankalayev
Potan (left) facing Ankalaev (right) in the UFC 313. Photo: Reproduction / UFC
The Brazilian's last defeat occurred in the 93 kg category. Magomed Ankalayev He had only one professional loss and was on an impressive winning streak. The two faced each other for the first time in the main event of UFC 313In March 2025, there was a lot of anticipation for the fight, but the duel ended up not being very competitive. The Russian pressured the Brazilian and landed several heavy blows, even staggering the champion with a heavy left hook in the second round. Poatan survived, but was defeated by unanimous decision.
They faced each other again in October 2025, an immediate rematch. While the first confrontation lasted 25 minutes, the second was a true massacre. The Brazilian closed the distance, cornered his rival and landed heavy blows on the Russian, forcing the referee to stop the fight in just one minute and 20 seconds.
#15: Alex “Poatan” Pereira(12-3) vs Magomed Ankalayev(21-1-1) II
UFC 320: Ankalaev vs Pereira 2
Poatan Swiftly Reclaims The Throne With Ease. pic.twitter.com/scyFgq4uhp
— Underrated Tribal Chief (@CombatUTC) December 31, 2025
Ankalaev has not fought since that defeat, but at the time of recording this video he is scheduled to face Khalil rountree in July this year.
Read More about: Alex Poatán, Israel adesanya, Magomed Ankalayev, Quemuel Ottoni
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