Alex Poatán performed at UFC 313. Photo: Reproduction X/UFC
aljamain sterling publicly questioned the accelerated agenda of Alex Poatán after the Brazilian suffered a defeat to Magomed Ankalayev No. UFC 313, for the light heavyweight belt (up to 93 kg), held last Saturday (8). In an analysis published on his YouTube channel, the former bantamweight champion (up to 61,2 kg) highlighted concerns about the excess of title defenses in a short period of time and the possible physical and mental impacts of the fighter's intense routine.
Known for his technical and strategic approaches during his reign as champion, Sterling argued that the lack of breaks between fights could compromise Poatan's ability to recover. The American also cited the damage accumulated in the fights against Procházka and Hill, fights that demanded extreme physical efforts from the former champion.
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“Poatan is too frequent. Three title defenses in seven months. It’s insane to do that. He comes out of fights with damage against Jiri, leaves the fights and goes back to the gym. He accumulates so many fights with so much sparring. When is it his body, his brain and his physique that want a chance to recover? He doesn’t give himself enough time between fights to show the best version of himself every time,” said Sterling.
The statement comes after Poatan fought four times in less than a year – against Jamahal hill, Jiri Prochazka, Khalil rountree e Magomed Ankalayev. The latest setback, against the Russian, interrupted a sequence of five consecutive victories for the Brazilian in the organization.
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