Who do YOU want to see Poatan fight next? A detailed look at realistic contenders

[MarioLemieux]

These are the realistic options I see for him:

#1 Ankalaev - clearly the best contender in his division. I favour Pereira pretty heavily in this one because Ankalaev's grappling seems like a myth to me. I've never seen it. If anyone can post some examples please do.

Winnability for Alex 8/10, fan interest 6/10, the hardcores will eat it up but casuals not so much

#2 DDP - Poatan has mentioned claiming the MW title from DDP. I honestly think this is a tougher match on the grappling front than Ankalaev and Alex will be depleted

Winnability for Alex 6.5/10, fan interest 6/10, it would be a title fight at another weight class but doesn't seem that compelling to move down again

#3 Adesanya - It seems a bit silly considering Adesanya's current losses, but the history they have is so storied that it's an automatic blockbuster UFC trilogy even though it doesn't make much sense at this point

Winnability for Alex 7/10, fan interest 8/10, the fans will always eat this one up

#4 Khamzat - This has to be the worse stylistic matchup in the UFC barring the next guy on the list. I don't think Alex survives the first round blitz at all.

Winnability for Alex 3/10, fan interest 8/10, everyone will want to tune in for this one

#5 Tom Aspinall - This is the go for broke and all the marbles fight for Alex, he could become the first ever 3 weight champ but it's probably a loss

Winnability for Alex 3/10, fan interest 9/10, the biggest fight to make but not necessarily the best for Alex

 

[RichardHarrow]

He fights Ankalaev then moves down to fight Chimaev ( since he will beat Dricus for the title ) to lose that Easter Island jaw of his ….

 

[ExitLUPin]

Ank is the only answer. Any other is wrong.

 

[Objectively Correct]

if poatan gets the hw strap, that makes him the goat

 

[ricains_cretins]

Topuria is the only matchup that makes sense right now.

 

[Rio Ferdinand]

If its anyone but ANK then the Dana White protection is UNDENIABLY REAL.

 

[FreddieRoachsVoice]

I feel like this is just a thinly veiled "Khamzat would beat Pereira" fanboy thread. 4/5 of the names on this list are completely ridiculous and are absolutely not going to be his next fight. Lol @ realistic

 

[wh4tttt]

to lose that Easter Island jaw of his ….

Somewhere Cyborg, Bigfoot Silva and Rosa's Jr felt that.

 

[MarioLemieux]

I feel like this is just a thinly veiled "Khamzat would beat Pereira" fanboy thread. 4/5 of the names on this list are completely ridiculous and are absolutely not going to be his next fight. Lol @ realistic

lol I guessed you missed my thread that's getting bumped where I predicted Rob would KO Khamzat before the fight and Rob has some of the best TDD in Khamzat's weight range.

Khamzat really is just a terrible matchup for Alex. Styles make fights.

And all of these fights are the on the table and have been mentioned.

What fights do you think are realistic?

 

[World eater]

He fights 3 guys in 2025. Ank first. Hopefully the HW king third. Doesn’t matter who the second one is.

 

[Big Tuppy Hole]

Ank is the only logical option.

 

[JudoThrowFiasco]

Him going back to mw would be the dumbest decision. He's now a monsterous 205 ...at 38. Him trying to deplete down to 185 would kill his chin and cardio

 

[tritestill]

Ank, but he will fight Tom.

 

[Hdfi]

Aspinall.

I want to see if Poatan can win a third belt.

 

[TadDunbar]

If the HW champ retires after 309 then he should Tom. If not then Ankalaev

 

[Hdfi]

If its anyone but ANK then the Dana White protection is UNDENIABLY REAL.

Ank is the only answer. Any other is wrong.

Ank is the only logical option.

No one in their right mind thinks an Ankalaev fight is more difficult and entertaining than an Aspinall fight.

 

[bng]

uncle cryev will be next and highly likely gonna regret that

 

[warriorfan808]

Ank and move up to fight Aspinal. First fight cements in Legacy at LHW and the next puts him forever on the list of contenders for GOAT if he wins

 

[Dicentim]

Interest for Adesagnagna 0/10.

 

[XThe GreatestX]

idk.

Ank from a rankings perspective i guess but who really cares about that fight other than like the 6 ank super fans on here?

I would say if it’s just about making the biggest fight then he should probably move up to heavyweight