Alex Poatán is a former UFC light heavyweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Former rival of Alex Poatán In kickboxing, Artem Vakhitov highlighted flaws in the Brazilian's defense and says he has a strategy to beat him again. In an interview with 'The Ariel Helwani Show', the fighter, who maintains a balanced record with one victory for each side, stated that the former UFC light heavyweight champion (up to 93kg) 'has no defense' and only relies on 'one blow'.
“I never imagined he (Poatan) would get this far. The public loves him, and he loves them back, but he has no defense. He only has one powerful punch. I know how to find the gaps and win easily. I have full confidence in my team to execute the right strategy,” said Vakhitov.
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The new meeting between them, however, is not expected to happen any time soon. Artem reveals that he turned down a contract with the UFC after financial disagreements and returned to GLORY. His next fight will be against Rico Verhoeven at Glory 100, in June 2025.
The two faced off twice in kickboxing in 2021, with each side winning one. On the first occasion, in March, Poatan won by split decision and won the Glory light heavyweight belt. Three months later, in the rematch, the Russian regained the title with a majority decision victory, ending their rivalry in the sport.
Despite mutual interest in a new fight, this time in the UFC, negotiations ran into contractual issues. Vakhitov, who won a fight on Dana White's Contender Series, received only the organization's standard offer for emerging athletes from the reality show. Unhappy with the financial terms, the Russian rejected the deal and chose to return to kickboxing.
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