While the UFC’s plan is to have Dricus Du Plessis subsequent defend his middleweight belt in opposition to former champion Sean Strickland, there’s a probability that followers may see 2024 finish with a DDP vs ‘Poatan’ title struggle – based on the South African’s head coach.
Following his fourth-round submission victory over ‘Stylebender’, middleweight king Dricus Du Plessis was referred to as out by not one, however two former champions – and also you higher consider that the ‘Stillknocks’ staff is prepared for whichever problem the UFC affords the South African subsequent.
Alex Pereira calls out Dricus Du Plessis following UFC 305 title win
Shortly after securing the rear bare choke victory at UFC 305 in Perth, Du Plessis was referred to as out on social media by each Sean Strickland and present mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
Within the case of the Brazilian, ‘Poatan’ took to Instagram to counsel that he’d be open to shifting again right down to middleweight within the hope of reclaiming his previous title: “I’m happening to 84kg once more, Coming right down to 185 another time.”
While DDP admitted on the post-fight press convention that such an unlimited champion vs champion conflict would certainly get his consideration, he warned Pereira in opposition to making such a transfer again to his previous stomping floor.
“I truthfully don’t suppose that Alex Pereira ought to drop right down to 185, if he needs to then nice, good… We noticed Izzy stiff that man within the first spherical, I’ve felt Izzy’s punching energy tonight and if Izzy stiffens you want that, you do not need to be in there with me.”
Dricus Du Plessis’ coach accepts Alex Pereira struggle supply on one situation
In keeping with Dricus Du Plessis’ head coach Morne Visser, that fantasy conflict between ‘Poatan’ and ‘Stillknocks’ may very well be far nearer than many followers notice; particularly on condition that Pereira’s subsequent title struggle has simply been introduced for October vs Khalil Rountree Jr.
As Visser defined to Submission Radio within the quick aftermath of the UFC 305 title win, the pair of superstars may struggle earlier than the top of 2024 – albeit on one situation.
“No – I received’t give him the enjoyment to go right down to 185; we’ll simply go up… He [DDP] doesn’t wish to beat him [at 185 because] he’ll say that we’ve gone down, he was fatigued and no matter so no, we’ll go up [instead].
“I’m positive that the UFC will likely be okay with it, if that’s what he’s mentioned, [and] I do know Dricus is sport, so we’ll go up – we received’t await him to come back down.”
With Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree Jr set for UFC 307 in October, coach Visser sees a possible path to a second belt coming into view as quickly as December’s UFC 310 card in Las Vegas.
“He’s preventing in October, so I actually hope that the UFC provides us this blessing for December.”
While the veteran coach refused to elaborate on whether or not he’d already began on a possible gameplan for a struggle in opposition to Pereira, Visser did be aware that in the case of Dricus’ motivation to struggle; they’ll by no means say no to the promotion.
“It’s a distinct gameplan – guys, that’s clearly one thing that I’d have to consider and go and actually work out – however there’s no means we’re going to stroll away from getting requested from the UFC to do one thing like that.
“We had been criticized a couple of occasions for Dricus saying no [to fights] due to accidents previously, this struggle was speculated to occur earlier… Don’t ask me what the gameplan will likely be for Alex but when it’s December, we’ll be prepared.”
UFC 310 in December is but to be formally introduced; with the expectation being that Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler may very well be the primary occasion of that Las Vegas PPV.
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