"Beat Khamzat and Sean Strickland in the same year" - MMA journalist makes eye-opening remark about Dricus du Plessis potentially facing Alex Pereira
While a potential fight between Alex Pereira and Jon Jones is all the rage right now, Dricus du Plessis could fetch 'Poatan' as his dancing partner, according to an MMA journalist.
Talking to Submission Radio during their year-ending podcast, industry veteran Luke Thomas gave his take on a few fantasy matchups for 2025. As Thomas sees it, 'Stillknocks' taking on the light heavyweight champion might not be farfetched if the South African passes a few tough tests at 185 pounds.
Elaborating on how du Plessis could secure the Pereira match-up, he said:
"If he beats those guys that's a huge yeah. I don't know if he can beat those guys. I think that's a little harder to do. But I'll just say if you go out and beat Khamzat [Chimaev] and Sean Strickland in the same year, you can fight whoever you wanna fight after that. No question in mind at all, zero."
Check out Luke Thomas' comments on a potential Dricus du Plessis vs. Alex Pereira showdown below (13:55):
'Stillknocks' is scheduled to take on Sean Strickland in a title fight rematch at UFC 312 in February, and Khamzat Chimaev's jaw-breaking submission over Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 has essentially made him the favorite to face the winner of the title fight.
Interestingly, du Plessis has called out Pereira in the past. During the UFC 305 post-fight press conference, the 30-year-old dismissed 'Poatan's' plans to move down to middleweight, claiming he'd be happy to move up to face the Brazilian.
When Dricus du Plessis dismissed Alex Pereira's chances against him at middleweight
While Alex Pereira once held the middleweight crown, reigning champion Dricus du Plessis is convinced that moving back down to the division wouldn't serve 'Poatan' well.
As 'Stillknocks' sees it, his power would be too much for the light heavyweight champion to handle, seeing as former champion Israel Adesanya has already knocked him out in the past.
During the UFC 305 post-fight presser following his win against 'The Last Stylebender', du Plessis elaborated on the topic, saying:
"I felt Izzy's punching power tonight... If Izzy puts you, stiffens you like that you do not want to be in there with me. Especially when you come in there with excuses like, 'Oh I cut too much weight.'"
Check out Dricus du Plessis' comments on Alex Pereira below: