Dricus du Plessis responds to Alex Pereira considering middleweight return: "I'll come up to 205"
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has thrown down the gauntlet to light-heavyweight king Alex Pereira after the Brazilian expressed interest in reclaiming the 185-pound title.
Pereira’s desire to return to middleweight was sparked by du Plessis’ submission victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. The South African’s performance cemented his status as the division’s best fighter.
Not one to shy away from a challenge, the South African has issued a bold proposal. Speaking at the post-fight press conference, the champion declared he would be willing to move up to light-heavyweight to face Pereira.
'Stillknocks' said:
“If Izzy [Israel Adesanya] stiffens you [Pereira] like that, you do not want to be in there with me... You don’t have to cut weight so you have some sort of excuse. I’ll come up to 205 and we’ll sort it out there.”
Check out Dricus du Plessis' comment below:
While du Plessis has a rematch with Sean Strickland looming, the allure of a super fight with Pereira could prove too tempting to resist.
A look into Dricus du Plessis' rise as the UFC middleweight champion
Dricus du Plessis has rapidly ascended the ranks of the UFC's middleweight division, culminating in a dominant title reign. Since his promotional debut in 2020, Du Plessis has showcased exceptional striking and grappling skills, securing impressive victories over a string of top contenders.
His journey to the championship was marked by thrilling performances, including knockout wins over Trevin Giles and Derek Brunson, as well as a decisive victory over former champion Robert Whittaker.
A planned title shot against Israel Adesanya was derailed due to injury, but du Plessis eventually captured the middleweight belt by defeating Sean Strickland in a highly anticipated showdown. In his first title defense, 'Stillknocks' stunned the world by submitting Adesanya, solidifying his status as one of the UFC's most formidable fighters.