Alex Poatán faced Khalil rountree No. UFC 307. Photo: Instagram/UFC Brazil
One of the most important UFC fights of the year almost didn't happen. According to Daniel Cormier, the organization knew that Alex Poatán was sick and even considered canceling the main match against Khalil rountree for the light heavyweight belt (up to 93 kg).
“I was talking to his manager and his trainer (Poatan) after the fight, and they said they told the UFC, ‘We’re going to Salt Lake (City). We’re going to try to train, but we might have to pull out,’” he said.
Still according to the former champion, if the fight's cancellation were confirmed, the UFC 307 was ready to move the Pennington vs. Peña fight up to the main event.
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“The UFC told him (Poatan), ‘That would be a shame, but… we have two title fights, we’ll move up one if we have to.’ Man, he fought,” Cormier revealed.
Poatan reported difficulties before UFC 307
During the breaks between rounds, Poatan was seen coughing. At the press conference after the UFC 307, the Brazilian revealed that his preparation was marked by obstacles outside the octagon.
“I was already sick. My immunity was down, I had a fever, a sore throat and I had to take antibiotics. I went back to the US, spent a week in Connecticut and then came back here (Salt Lake City). With the altitude, my throat started to get inflamed again, I had to go to the doctor and take antibiotics again. In Brazil, I also hurt my rib, I had an injury a year ago and now I have inflammation in the cartilage. It was really difficult, I tore the ligament in my little finger too, the same one I broke,” Poatan explained.
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