It seems the rivalry between Alex Poatan and Dricus du Plessis goes beyond the octagon. The light heavyweight (up to 93kg) and middleweight (up to 83,9kg) champions frequently exchange taunts, keeping the idea of a possible 'super fight' alive in the fans' imagination. For Sean Strickland , former champion and current challenger to the South African's title, this antagonism involves something more than just the sporting aspect.
In an interview with 'UFC News', Strickland, who has a fight scheduled against Du Plessis, stated that Poatan has an explosive temper and an inexplicable hatred for the South African. According to the American, his former rival and now partner feels so much anger towards the middleweight champion that, sometimes, he himself needs to remember that he is Dricus' real opponent.
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“But I think Alex is an angry motherfucker. Like, Alex is angry, and for some reason, man, he hates Dricus. Like, I don’t know what you did to him, but he fucking hates you, man. Sometimes the way he looks at Dricus, I’m like, ‘Man, I’m the one who’s gonna fight him, bro. I’m the one, man!’ He just has this hatred in his heart. But he’s a good guy, so yeah, let’s do it,” Strickland said.
Despite their good relationship, Alex Poatan and Sean Strickland have already shared the octagon as opponents , when the Brazilian defeated the American by knockout at UFC 276. Since then, the athletes have trained together on several occasions. Next Saturday (8), when Strickland enters the octagon against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312 , Poatan will be in his corner.
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