Israel Adesanya doesn't see a problem with Alex Poatan's possible 'lightning title fight' in the UFC

I.Adesanya (photo) at a UFC press conference. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Victim of Alex Poatán in the days of kickboxing, Israel adesanya does not see controversy surrounding the Brazilian's meteoric rise in the UFC. Willing to face the São Paulo native under MMA rules, the middleweight champion (up to 83,9kg) defended the Tupiniquim from possible criticism regarding a possible quick title fight. If you win in UFC 276, the Glory legend can fight for the title after three appearances in Ultimate.

“I don't understand the context as: 'it's too early for Pereira (Poatan)'. Look, Jiri (Prochazka) just fought for the belt (in light heavyweight) and won the title in his third fight for the UFC. Anderson (Silva) became champion in his second fight. Everything is fine with me,” Adesanya admitted at a press conference.

See too

Adesanya guarantees that Cannonier's outcome will be the same as Borrachinha's, but 'without the little fuss'

A victim of Poatan in the past, Adesanya says he is eager to face the Brazilian in the UFC: 'This isn't kickboxing'

'Carcacinha' explains spinning elbow, thanks McGregor for praise and talks about comparison with Do Bronx

Beaten by Poatan in kickboxing twice, Israel does not feel intimidated by a new chance to share the fighting field with the Brazilian. Instead, the Nigerian chooses to sustain his confidence in recent achievements within MMA.

“I've been in this sport for a while and this 'generation TikTok' only has 15 seconds of memory. All they see is a knockout (applied by Alex in 2017), but they didn't follow the first fight or the moments before I suffered the knockout in the second appearance”, he concluded.

At the top of the UFC middleweight division since 2019, Adesanya is on his way to his fifth title defense. On July 2, the champion will face off against Jared Cannonier, currently number two in the ranking.

An Ultimate athlete since the end of 2021, Alex has two commitments to the company and is undefeated in two clashes. At the UFC 276, the Brazilian faces Sean Strickland. If he beats the North American, the São Paulo native can get his passport stamped for a title fight.

Mike Tyson fires back at criticism about age and sends a message to Jake Paul: 'I like…'