"Had the first two rounds for Rountree" - Dricus du Plessis shares interesting take on UFC 307 main event amid simmering feud with Alex Pereira
Dricus du Plessis was on hand to share his thoughts on Alex Pereira's victory over Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307. The pair headlined the pay-per-view card in an exciting matchup that produced a fight filled with elite striking, as the Brazilian secured a fourth-round TKO stoppage.
With du Plessis and Pereira having previously shared interest in fighting one another, the South African's recent review of the light heavyweight champion's win left no indication of their budding rivalry.
Instead 'Stillknocks' opted for the respectful route, and congratulated both fighters on their performances. The 30-year-old agreed with the three judges on the night. He awarded the first two rounds to Rountree Jr., as did the judges for the main event.
Du Plessis took to X and wrote:
"I thought both men looked incredible tonight. [I] had the first twon rounds for Rountree Jr. but those low kicks added up. Well done both of you are warriors!"
See Dricus du Plessis' post below:
The pair have previously traded words over a potential fight, with 'Poatan' labeling the South African as "scared". Should the light heavyweight champion respond to the 185-pound king's recent post, it will be fascinating to see if he returns the respectful tone.
Alex Pereira answers if he will pursue a fight with Dricus du Plessis following UFC 307
Following Dricus du Plessis' submission win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, 'Stillknocks' expressed interest in moving to light heavyweight to challenge Alex Pereira. The Brazilian also shared interest in the fight but offered to go back down to middleweight instead.
Given poatan-s-massive-weight-cut" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">Pereira's infamous weight cut to make the 185-pound limit, it's worth considering whether or not he could even make weight given his larger frame since moving to light heavyweight.
With his training partner Sean Strickland potentially next in line for a fight with du Plessis, 'Poatan' was asked if he'd be interested in fighting the South African during his UFC 307 post-fight octagon interview.
He said (via translator):
"We saw that Dricus is gonna be fighting Sean Strickland. He's a training partner of mine, I don't want to get in his way. I can move up to heavyweight, but this division is great. I feel great with this weight cut and this is where I'm at."
Watch Alex Pereira discuss Dricus du Plessis below (2:50):