Dricus Du Plessis scoffs at idea of Islam Makhachev skipping welterweight and moving to middleweight: "I'm very big"
Dricus du Plessis was able to capture the middleweight title at UFC 297 in January as he defeated Sean Strickland via split decision. He will look to defend his belt for the first time when he faces Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 next weekend. 'Stillknocks' recently dismissed a suggestion from Javier Mendez, who coaches Islam Makhachev, that the lightweight champion could move to middleweight.
Speaking to Kevin Iole, Dricus du Plessis laughed when told about the comments from the American Kickboxing Academy founder before adding:
"Yeah, I mean, what can I say? I mean, that just sounds - but I mean, yeah, everybody can dream, right? I always say never cap your dreams and, you know, dream big, but he's dreaming real big. I'm very big."
Check out Dricus du Plessis' comments on Islam Makhachev below:
Makhachev had previously shared that he hoped to chase double champ status by pursuing the welterweight title. However, those plans have changed due to Belal Muhammad's unanimous decision title bout victory over Leon Edwards at UFC 304. The lightweight champion is friends with 'Remember the Name' and has shared that he has no plans to face him inside the octagon.
Mendez did note, however, that the first order of business for Makhachev is to defeat No.1-ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan. A victory would give him the most title defenses in lightweight history, something that his camp is well aware of.
Dricus du Plessis dismisses Sean Strickland's title chances
Ahead of facing Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, Dricus du Plessis discussed the title picture in the middleweight division. The 185-pound champion dismissed his former opponent Sean Strickland's recent comments that he would sit out and wait for a title opportunity.
Speaking to Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports, 'Stillknocks' stated:
"Strickland shouldn't have been there in the first place. He got it by default and didn't prove that he deserves to be there so that's amazing. The winner of Khamzat [Chimaev] and [Robert] Whittaker is going to get the title shot. Strickland says he's going to wait until he gets a title shot. He's going to wait for quite a while."
Check out Dricus du Plessis' comments on the middleweight title picture below:
Du Plessis added that he is interested in making the fights that fans want to see. It is unclear what the UFC's plans are, but it likely depends on the outcome of next weekend's title clash. Adesanya has shared that he plans to face Strickland if he reclaims the middleweight title for the third time.