Alex Poatán in a face-off inside the octagon in UFC 313. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.
One of the aspects that most caught the fans' attention in the defeat of Alex Poatán for Magomed Ankalev in a light heavyweight (up to 93 kg) title fight in the main event of UFC 313, on March 8, was the Brazilian's passive performance in the fight standing up throughout the five rounds. According to Joe Rogan, Ultimate commentator, this issue can be explained by physical and health problems experienced by the former champion that night.
In a recent edition of the 'Fight Companion' podcast, the commentator said that Poatan had a fractured hand and was dealing with symptoms of norovirus, a type of virus that causes gastrointestinal conditions such as diarrhea, vomiting and high fever.
“They say he fought with a broken hand and norovirus against Ankalaev. He has fought with a broken big toe before. When he hit Jiri Prochazka, he had a f*****g knee. He fought on one leg in the first fight,” Rogan pointed out.
If the information is true, this would be the second consecutive fight of Alex Poatán with health problems, since in the victory over Khalil rountree, in October of last year, the then champion would have entered into action under the effects of antibiotics due to a high fever and injuries to his rib and big toe.
Despite alleged health problems and injuries of Alex Poatán, Joe Rogan did not fail to recognize the merit of Magomed Ankalayev in winning the belt.
“I saw good things in Ankalaev's stand-up against Pereira. It was very high level, super impressive. Especially taking his hand out of the way, making the circular movement and taking away the angles,” he highlighted.
Ultimately, Rogan has no doubt that the next step for the UFC to take should be an immediate rematch between Magomed Ankalayev e Alex Poatán by the title.
“They’ll do it again, I’m sure. They need to. It’s the big fight of the division. If Pereira can come in healthy… he’s too active. But he’s smart, because he’s 37 years old and he knows he needs to run and make as much money as possible. He did that. He became one of the greatest of all time in three years, which is crazy,” he concluded.
