Poatan celebrates his birthday, expresses gratitude, and reinforces his mindset for a new chapter.

Poatan focused before fighting in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

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Alex Poatán There are plenty of reasons to celebrate another year of life. Even after the defeat all with Cyryl Gane No. UFC White House Amidst the controversy surrounding Herb Dean's refereeing, the Pataxó fighter turned 39 and used the occasion to express gratitude for his achievements and the career he has built in combat sports.

In a post on Instagram, the former champion highlighted the importance of faith, family, and the people who accompany him on his journey. Poatan stated that, looking back, he sees God's grace and care in every achievement and challenge overcome.

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“Today I turn 39. Looking back, I can only thank God. Everything I've achieved, all the challenges I've overcome, and every person who is part of my journey are proof of His grace and His care. I am very grateful for the family I have, for my children, Lohan and Alessandro, who are my greatest blessings and my greatest motivation to keep going every day. I also want to thank my friends, my team, and every fan who cheers for me, follows me, and sends me so much positive energy. You are part of this story and the person I have become,” he wrote. Alex Poatán.

Poatan also highlighted that he is beginning a new cycle with a heart full of gratitude, humility, and the desire to continue evolving as a man, father, and athlete. Finally, he wished that God would continue to guide his steps and bless everyone, ending the message with a general thank you and his traditional expression of motivation.

“I enter this new cycle with a heart full of gratitude, humility, and a desire to continue evolving as a man, as a father, and as an athlete. May God continue to guide my steps and bless the lives of all of us. Thank you for everything. Let's move forward. CHAMA,” concluded the Pataxó.

Happy 39th birthday to Alex Pereira pic.twitter.com/YhaQInj4Am

— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) July 7, 2026

Poatan blamed Herb Dean for his loss at UFC White House.

Herb Dean and Alex Poatán at a UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter

After a lukewarm first round, with a slight advantage for Cyryl Gane, Alex Poatán He returned for the second round determined to finish the fight. However, right at the start, he was surprised by a strong jab that knocked him down. Following that, the Frenchman delivered a series of blows on the ground which, in the Brazilian's view, hit the back of his neck and compromised his resistance before the knockout, which came seconds later.

After the fight, Poatan attributed the negative result to referee Herb Dean's performance, claiming that the referee neither stopped the fight nor warned Gane about the blows considered illegal.