"He shows that he's scared" - Alex Pereira says making 185 pounds will be harder than fighting "clown" Dricus du Plessis
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has reiterated his desire to drop down to middleweight to challenge Dricus du Plessis for the title. The Brazilian, who previously held the middleweight belt, is scheduled to face Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307.
Pereira has been vocal about his interest in fighting du Plessis ever since the South African defeated Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. The Brazilian has accused du Plessis of avoiding the matchup, claiming that the champion is "scared" to face him.
In a recent interview with Full Send MMA, Pereira doubled down on his claims, stating that making the weight cut to 185 pounds would be more challenging than fighting 'Stillknocks' himself. The Brazilian believes that he has rested sufficiently to make the weight and is ready to take on the challenge:
"Dricus is definitely an easier fight than fighting Jon Jones. I think making weight [185 pounds] will be harder than that fight. I did stop making that weight class because my body because I said my body needed a break, 2-3 fights, without having to do that cut. Now I think I rest long enough, I think I can definitely do that cut [to middleweight] and make that fight happen."
However, Pereira emphasized that the matchup depends on du Plessis accepting it:
"But depends on him. I showed interest many times but he never replied... The way that [Du Plessis] presents himself, he always jokes... when the subject is presented to him. So this shows that he is scared... clown."
Check out Alex Pereira's comments below (2:53):
Michael Bisping suggests Alex Pereira move up a weight class instead of coming down to middleweight
Despite Alex Pereira's desire to move down to the middleweight division, Michael Bisping has advised 'Poatan' otherwise.
In a recent episode of his podcast, Bisping argued that Pereira's move back down to middleweight could delay title opportunities for other fighters in the division. He suggested that the Brazilian instead focus on becoming a three-division UFC champion by moving up to heavyweight and challenging for the title there:
"At 185 [pounds], [Pereira] did get slept by 'Izzy' and that's gotta be because of the weight cut... I'm not saying he wouldn't win the fight [against du Plessis] but he's already been 185 [pound] champ, he's a 205 [pound] champ. I say... if he beats Khalil [Rountree] and then beats Magomed Ankalaev maybe one or two more, go up to heavyweight and try to become a three-weight champion."
Check out Michael Bisping's comments on Alex Pereira below (20:11):