Alex Pereira desires that Dricus du Plessis struggle, he’s simply unsure if the UFC middleweight champion feels the identical approach.
“Poatan,” who is about to defend his mild heavyweight title towards Khalil Rountree in the primary occasion of UFC 307 in Salt Lake Metropolis on Oct. 5, has not too long ago teased the chance that he would drop again right down to middleweight, the division during which he gained his first UFC title in 2022. Particularly, he put out the potential of a struggle with du Plessis following du Plessis’ win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305.
Any substantial matchup negotiations between the 2 are unlikely to come back to fruition for months, however Pereira insists that they will begin speaking about it now if du Plessis is open to it.
“Dricus undoubtedly is a neater struggle than preventing Jon Jones,” Pereira informed FULL SEND MMA by way of a Portuguese translator. “I believe making weight can be tougher than the struggle, however I did cease making that weight class as a result of I stated my physique wanted a break two or three fights with out having to make that minimize.
“Now I believe I’ve rested lengthy sufficient, I believe I can undoubtedly try this and make the struggle occur, however it is dependent upon him. I confirmed curiosity many occasions, however he by no means replies.”
It’s not simply du Plessis’ alleged reluctance to struggle that has Pereira miffed. The Brazilian knockout artist questions whether or not du Plessis is severe about reserving a struggle towards a prime contender subsequent, whether or not it’s himself or a rematch with Sean Strickland.
“The way in which that he presents himself is at all times jokes when he responds,” Pereira stated. “Like, he stated the stuff to Strickland, for instance. He’s by no means severe. He’s at all times trolling by some means when the topic is introduced to him.
“He by no means takes it severe, so it exhibits that he’s scared, you recognize what I imply? As a substitute of him simply saying, ‘Look, UFC. Let’s make me and Pereira struggle.’ Clown.”
As soon as du Plessis caught wind of Pereira’s feedback, he was fast to reply on social media.
a scared clown how dare you! Now that’s taking it to far. I’ve already stated I’m in to struggle both you or @SStricklandMMA what extra would you like or ought to I tag your translator?
— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) September 16, 2024
“A scared clown, how dare you,” du Plessis wrote. “Now that’s taking it too far. I’ve already stated I’m in to struggle both you or [Strickland]. What extra would you like or ought to I tag your translator?”
Pereira gained the UFC middleweight title in simply his eighth MMA struggle following a embellished professional kickboxing profession that included two wins over Adesanya. He knocked out Adesanya at UFC 281 to say the title earlier than dropping it to his longtime rival in a rematch 5 months later. He later turned mild heavyweight champion with a knockout of Jiri Prochazka and his repute as a multi-division risk has him set as much as probably struggle du Plessis or heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
