DWCS 41 winner Ihor Potieria happy to prove Ukrainians are not just strong boxers

LAS VEGAS – Ihor Potieria is ready to fly the Ukrainian flag for MMA.

Potieria (20-2), who earned a UFC deal with a furious first-round finish of previously undefeated Lucasz Sudolski at Dana White’s Contender Series 41 on Tuesday, has watched boxers such as Vasiliy Lomachenko and the Klitschko brothers dominate the boxing world.

He took inspiration from Oleksandr Usyk’s upset win over Anthony Joshua to become the new unified heavyweight world champion on Saturday, and now he’s willing to show that Ukraine doesn’t only have elite boxers, but top-level MMA fighters too.

“Well, Ukrainian people are very strong, and a boxer Usyk he just proved Ukrainian boxers are the best,” Potieria told MMA Junkie and other reporters at the UFC Apex. “I wanted to prove Ukrainians are not really strong as boxers, but also as MMA fighters. Of course growing up, Klitschko brothers, they were my idols. I looked up to them, and I watched all their fights.”

To see the full interview with Potieria, check out the video above.