Alex Poatan's rival surprises and points to Brazilian as 'greatest combat athlete in history'

Accustomed to exchanging 'barbs' with Poatan, Dricus du Plessis surrendered to the Brazilian's trajectory in martial arts

Alex Poatan celebrates winning the UFC belt. Photo: Twitter/UFC

Alex Poatán celebrates UFC title win. Photo: Twitter/UFC

The relationship between Dricus du Plessis e Alex Poatán is marked by provocations and exchange of 'barbs', which began shortly after the South African won the middleweight belt (up to 83,9 kg) in 2024. Such rivalry, however, does not prevent the middleweight champion from recognizing the Brazilian as one of the greatest combat sports athletes of all time.

In a recent interview with Mark Bouris, Du Plessis, who defends the middleweight belt (up to 83,9 kg) this Saturday (8), against Sean Strickland, at UFC 312, surprised and praised Alex Poatán, highlighting the Brazilian's quick adaptation to MMA after a successful career in kickboxing.

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Dana White puts the belt on Alex Poatan. Photo: Reproduction/UFC

“I think he (Poatan) is one of the greatest combat athletes in history. He is phenomenal. Coming from another sport in a short period of time, especially kickboxing, is not a great base for MMA. He came in and went through everyone after being one of the greatest kickboxers in history, with multiple titles at the highest level. In a short period of time he became champion in two categories, always ready to fight”, praised the South African.

Lastly, Dricus du Plessis verbalized that the fact of living a kind of rivalry with Alex Poatán doesn't stop him from pointing to the light heavyweight champion as one of, if not the greatest athlete of all time in combat sports.

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“I have all the respect in the world for him as a fighter and a person. We are rivals, but I have the utmost respect for what he has achieved in the sport. He is truly one of the greatest of all time, not just in MMA or UFC, but in combat sports. He is probably the most successful combat athlete the world has ever seen,” he concluded.

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