Dana White praises Alex Poatan after Ankalaev knockout: 'It's a dream to have him in the UFC'

Poatan celebrates his UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

Like many sports fans and experts, Dana White is delighted with Alex Poatán. Last Saturday (4), in Las Vegas (USA), the Brazilian became UFC light heavyweight champion (up to 93 kg) again by knocking out Magomed Ankalayev quickly in the rematch. Having seen the renowned striker's performance up close, the company's president made a point of praising him.

Dana emphasized that all of Poatan's success in MMA is well-deserved and largely due to his exciting fighting style and work ethic. It's worth noting that the Brazilian is one of the athletes currently considered a "showman" in combat sports and makes himself available to the company to return to action, even though he's a big star, often even when not at his best.

Furthermore, Poatan, angered by his loss to Ankalaev in March and the latter's trash talk, promised he would retaliate in a dominant fashion and delivered with ease. The Brazilian needed little more than a minute to knock out his rival. Dana points out that the UFC is fortunate to have a fighter with this profile, an increasingly rare fighter in MMA.

“People adore him, they love the way he fights, and they can’t be upset with how he performed tonight. This guy has been incredible for us. He doesn’t care and wants to fight everyone. It’s a dream to have him in this organization. It’s one thing to talk, it’s another to show up and deliver like he did tonight. He did everything he said he would do,” Dana said at the post-fight press conference.UFC 320.

Poatan's main victories

In the UFC since 2021, Alex Poatán starred in a meteoric rise in MMA, shining in the octagon. The Brazilian was a middleweight and light heavyweight champion, defeating big names in the sport such as Israel adesanya, Jamahal hill, Jan Blachowicz, Jiri Prochazka (twice), Khalil rountree jr, Magomed Ankalayev e Sean Strickland.