Whilst the UFC’s plan is to have Dricus Du Plessis next defend his middleweight belt against former champion Sean Strickland, there is a chance that fans could see 2024 end with a DDP vs ‘Poatan’ title fight – according to the South African’s head coach.
Following his fourth-round submission victory over ‘Stylebender’, middleweight king Dricus Du Plessis was called out by not one, but two former champions – and you better believe that the ‘Stillknocks’ team is ready for whichever challenge the UFC offers the South African next.
Alex Pereira calls out Dricus Du Plessis following UFC 305 title win
Shortly after securing the rear naked choke victory at UFC 305 in Perth, Du Plessis was called out on social media by both Sean Strickland and current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
In the case of the Brazilian, ‘Poatan’ took to Instagram to suggest that he’d be open to moving back down to middleweight in the hope of reclaiming his old title: “I’m going down to 84kg again, Coming down to 185 one more time.”
Whilst DDP admitted at the post-fight press conference that such an enormous champion vs champion clash would indeed get his attention, he warned Pereira against making such a move back to his old stomping ground.
“I honestly don’t think that Alex Pereira should drop down to 185, if he wants to then great, perfect… We saw Izzy stiff that man in the first round, I’ve felt Izzy’s punching power tonight and if Izzy stiffens you like that, you do not want to be in there with me.”
Dricus Du Plessis’ coach accepts Alex Pereira fight offer on one condition
According to Dricus Du Plessis’ head coach Morne Visser, that fantasy clash between ‘Poatan’ and ‘Stillknocks’ could be far closer than many fans realize; especially given that Pereira’s next title fight has just been announced for October vs Khalil Rountree Jr.
As Visser explained to Submission Radio in the immediate aftermath of the UFC 305 title win, the pair of superstars could fight before the end of 2024 – albeit on one condition.
“No – I won’t give him the joy to go down to 185; we’ll just go up… He [DDP] doesn’t want to beat him [at 185 because] he’ll say that we’ve gone down, he was fatigued and whatever so no, we’ll go up [instead].
“I’m sure that the UFC will be okay with it, if that’s what he’s said, [and] I know Dricus is game, so we’ll go up – we won’t wait for him to come down.”
With Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree Jr set for UFC 307 in October, coach Visser sees a potential path to a second belt coming into view as soon as December’s UFC 310 card in Las Vegas.
“He’s fighting in October, so I really hope that the UFC gives us this blessing for December.”
Whilst the veteran trainer refused to elaborate on whether he’d already started on a potential gameplan for a fight against Pereira, Visser did note that when it comes to Dricus’ motivation to fight; they’ll never say no to the promotion.
“It’s a different gameplan – guys, that’s obviously something that I’d have to think about and go and really figure out – but there’s no way we’re going to walk away from getting asked from the UFC to do something like that.
“We were criticized a few times for Dricus saying no [to fights] because of injuries in the past, this fight was supposed to happen earlier… Don’t ask me what the gameplan will be for Alex but if it’s December, we’ll be ready.”
UFC 310 in December is yet to be officially announced; with the expectation being that Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler could be the main event of that Las Vegas PPV.