Valter Walker says Russian heavyweight would beat Alex Poatan: "He'd run him over" — Federação de Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation

Federação de Jiu-Jitsu: Back in 2025, Valter Walker was one of the biggest enthusiasts and supporters of the idea of Alex Pereira venturing into the heavyweight division, with an eye on an eventual, unprecedented three-division UFC title run. The Rio de Janeiro-born athlete's stance, however, doesn't stop him from, months later, sharing a blunt opinion about a possible — and, in his view, unfavorable — matchup in the 120 kg division for "Poatan": Sergei Pavlovich.

A training partner of the Russian giant, the "Foot Hunter," as the Brazilian is known, brings with him the experience of someone who shares the mats with Pavlovich on a daily basis. Because of that, knowing Sergei's potential, Valter Walker didn't mince words in stating that, should the two ever meet inside the UFC in the future, Alex Poatan would find plenty of resistance on the other side of the octagon.

“I don't think so (that Pavlovich wouldn't be a good fight for Poatan). Because he's a heavyweight like a war tank. And back in the day he wasn't training with a team, he was training kind of a mess. Now he's training properly. I don't know what the sportsbooks think, but in my opinion Pavlovich would run him over (Poatan) without even trying. Just like he did with Xicão. He was going to do that. I don't think (Poatan) has the frame to stop (Pavlovich). People are going to say: 'You're talking sh**.' But I don't think he'd have the tank to hold up that pressure. That's what I think”, said the Rio-born heavyweight in an interview with the "Laerte Viana na Área – MMA" channel.

Partnership declined

Before UFC White House, Valter revealed that Poatan had actually invited him to join his training camp for the fight against Ciryl Gane. However, unlike Tallison Teixeira, "Xicão," Walker turned down the offer. Despite acknowledging that the partnership would have benefited him, especially on the striking side, the Brazilian based in Russia noted that, also having a fight of his own booked, he preferred to stick to his training plan and not stray from what had already been set. The "Foot Hunter" returns to action on July 25, in Abu Dhabi (UAE), against Thomas Petersen.

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The post Valter Walker says Russian heavyweight would beat Alex Poatan: "He'd run him over" first appeared on Ag. Fight – MMA, UFC, Boxing and More.

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