Alex Poatan raises his voice and accepts superfight challenge against UFC champion: 'I want it and he wants it'

Alex Poatán in UFC fight entrance Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

The rivalry between Alex Poatán e Dricus Du Plessis has just gained a new chapter. Last Saturday (8), after beat Sean Strickland at UFC 312, the middleweight champion (up to 83,9 kg) turned his gaze to the light heavyweight champion (up to 93 kg) and, through Daniel Comier's microphone, asked who his next opponent would be. Poatan, who was in the challenger's corner, did not hesitate and accepted the challenge.

In an interview with 'Full Send MMA', the Brazilian revealed that he met Du Plessis backstage and questioned whether the post-fight speech was directed at him. After the South African's confirmation, Poatan reaffirmed his interest in the fight.

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“Up there, I saw him looking at me, right? He said something, but I didn’t know, I don’t understand English. Afterwards, I asked Plínio, and he explained: ‘He was asking who’s next’. Then, when I got to the hallway, I asked him (Du Plessis): ‘Was that for me?’. Then, he said it was, and I replied: ‘Make it happen’,” he said. Alex Poatán.

Despite having started his UFC career as a middleweight, Poatan is currently struggling to reach the limit for that weight class. Therefore, he suggested that the fight against Du Plessis take place in his current division. According to the Brazilian, Dricus accepted and now the fight only depends on the UFC to happen.

“I said, ‘93 kg?’ and he said ‘yes.’ So, here I am, let’s do it. It’s not up to me. I want it, and he wants it, now it’s up to the UFC… I shook his hand and we’ll see what happens,” said the light heavyweight champion.

Poatan focuses on title defense against Ankalaev before facing Du Plessis

Although he had made a verbal agreement to face Du Plessis, Alex Poatán already has a UFC commitment. The light heavyweight champion will defend his belt against Magomed Ankalayev on March 8th and, according to him, his focus is on this first challenge.

“On March 8th, we are focused, but he said that to me, and I didn’t want to let it go unnoticed. I asked if it was for me, and he said it was. We pointed our hands and it was agreed.”, concluded the Brazilian.