From a life of excess to stardom in kickboxing, Poatan debuts in the UFC this Saturday as a promise in the middleweight division

A. Poatan debuts in Ultimate at UFC 268. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

From excessive partying to kickboxing stardom, Alex Poatán prepares for one of the greatest challenges in his successful career in martial arts. This Saturday (6), the GLORY legend will make his long-awaited debut in Ultimate and will try to repeat his great feats within MMA. Before the appointment at UFC 268, when faced Andreas Michailidis, the Brazilian spoke exclusively to SUPER FIGHTS.

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Until he reached the benchmark in kickboxing, Poatan opened up about a period of excesses in his youth and opened up. The fighter also analyzed his commitment this weekend and spoke about the future in the new phase of his career.

Life of excess: sport saves lives

Owner of precise and sharp fists, Poatan was sincere when revealing the reason why he chose to pursue martial arts. The reason, the fighter explains.

“When I started (training), I was going to be 22 years old. I didn't lead a healthy life. Lots of drinking, banter. I wanted to leave it all behind and have a better life. We hear: 'sport saves'. Brazil is football, but as I don't know how to play football, I thought: 'fight, I've fought many times when I was a kid. I think fighting will be my sport'. I discovered kickboxing and, since then, I haven't stopped. My intention was to stop drinking. I really drank a lot. An alcoholic, perhaps. I had already tried to stop a few times and couldn't. Within the sport, after four years, I made it. From then on, I didn't drink anymore. I stopped 100%, close to nine years”, he said.

'I didn't want to be a fighter'

Surprisingly, the dream of becoming a professional fighter didn't cross Poatan's mind when he came to kickboxing. The fighter then talked about the process that led him to competitions and, consequently, to stardom.

“I didn’t want to be a fighter. My intention was not to live by fighting. I just wanted a better quality of life. Then, I started training and I like boxing. I never followed anything. I didn't like fighting. I just wanted to get out of that life”, he assured.

MMA debut

For those who don't know, this Saturday's challenge will not mark Alex's debut as a professional in MMA. In 2015, the fighter had his first test in the sport, playing for Jungle Fight. Poatan then explains why he decided to test himself, despite a successful career in kickboxing.

“In 2015, I made my debut. As I was already involved in the fight, I already had all this physical exhaustion, I thought: why not include myself more in the MMA part?'. I was already in the rain, so I got my whole body wet. That's when I started to like it more. At the time, I was a little discouraged with kickboxing and MMA on the rise. I debuted and had two more fights in Brazil. In 2017, I had the opportunity to compete for the GLORY title, I won. The business started to move forward. In MMA, I would be starting, but in kickboxing, I was already in. I reached the top, champion of two categories and even finding an opponent was difficult. I thought: it did! I'm going to MMA now. I had MMA in mind, but when I came to train with Glover (Teixeira), everything changed,” he said.

Transition with support from giants

Since choosing to leave kickboxing to dedicate himself to mixed martial arts, Poatan often needs to adapt his style to a different discipline. The fighter then spoke about the process he has been going through in recent months and about the help he receives from icons of the sport.

“There is fighting experience and training experience. In training, I'm doing very well. I train with Glover, who just became champion. He's a guy who puts people down easily and I hold on. He himself says it's difficult to put me down. I'm very confident. I went to train with Lyoto (Machida), Rudolph Vieira, (Ronaldo) Jacaré and everyone praising me. Day 6, I'll show you. After this fight, I still have a lot to learn.

Kickboxing: what is Poatan's place in the sport?

Owner of an enviable CV, with world titles in two categories, Alex's record speaks for itself. Willing to make history in another sport, the fighter analyzes the past and reveals his place in kickboxing.

“Since I debuted at GLORY in 2014, I think only one Brazilian, Thiago Michel, has fought. After I joined too, we gave visibility to Brazil. Today, Brazil has many Brazilian athletes and I helped open the doors. Brazil has a lot of talented athletes, not only for MMA, but for kickboxing as well. I was champion of two categories. I have a little guilt,” he admitted.

Best Brazilian in striking?

Fast, precise and hard-hitting, Poatan arrives in MMA with a reputation for standing up. The combatant, however, avoids boasting about his achievements. To point out possible reality, Alex uses facts.

“It’s difficult for us to talk about ourselves. Let's talk by numbers. Middleweight champion with five title defenses. Then, I won the interim light heavyweight belt, I won the linear belt, I defended it. The numbers say that I am the best and I am very happy with what I have achieved,” he said.

Fight at UFC 268

After confirming his migration from GLORY to the UFC, Poatan stirred the spirits of many martial arts fans around the world. For your debut, Andreas Michailidis he will be responsible for trying to ruin the Tupiniquim party. Showing knowledge of his rival, the Brazilian analyzed the confrontation.

“A fight is a fight. We don't know what will happen. I can speak for the training, not yet for the fight. Has the Caio Magalhães, black belt who trains with Glover and they both train hard. The guys praise me and I stand there making it difficult for them. I’m very confident,” he assured.

'Adesanya worried'

One of the best examples of success in the transition from kickboxing to MMA, Israel adesanya knows well the power of the fists of Alex Poatán. The Nigerian, who is currently middleweight champion, has already been defeated twice by the Tupiniquim and, once, brutally. According to the Brazilian, his former victim must be worried about his arrival in Ultimate.

“He knows my potential. Many people say that I won with a stroke of luck. If you analyze, in the same fight in which I knocked him out, that right-cross, I tried several times. We don't hit all the shots. There's no such thing as a lucky break. I think he was a little worried (about his arrival in the UFC). If I reach (at the top of the category), it’s an additional concern,” he said.

Message for fans

A few days away from one of the biggest challenges of his martial arts career, Poatan has a message for the fans who will follow his debut this weekend.

“I want to thank all the fans. On the 6th, I want to make a great debut. I'm very confident, very happy. The show is guaranteed”, he concluded.

Athletes' history

At 34 years old, Poatan is heading towards his fifth commitment as a professional in MMA. The athlete today has three wins and one defeat. His last performance in mixed martial arts took place in 2020, when he ran over Thomas Powell playing for LFA.

Representative from Greece, Michailidis, 33, wants to confirm the good moment in Ultimate. With one victory and one stumble since his debut, the athlete will make his 18th challenge in the sport. In total, the Greek has 13 wins and four defeats.

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