Islam Makhachev’s goal is to become UFC’s first three-weight world champion, which has caught Dricus Du Plessis’s attention.
Following Islam Makhachev‘s recent title defense against Renato Moicano at UFC 311, the lightweight champion made a sensational call out, calling for a fight against Dricus Du Plessis as he explained his desire to become triple champion.
Despite that, the pound-for-pound number one has also recently admitted that he would like to fight Justin Gaethje next as he hasn’t fought him yet and there aren’t any other contenders.
READ MORE: Islam Makhachev plans permanent move in division as UFC has ‘no one to fight’ at lightweight
Dricus Du Plessis reacts to Islam Makhachev fight callout
‘Stillknocks’ is a few weeks out from his UFC 312 main event title defense against Sean Strickland, in Sydney Australia.
Despite that, he has reacted to Makhachev audaciously calling him out, explaining how much of a difference the size difference would make.
“If we get to a situation where we are not, he’s an incredible fighter make no mistake, he was so incredibly good against Moicano he once again proved why he is pound for pound best in the world,” Du Plessis told Main Event.
“I don’t care how good you are (he’s 30lbs lighter), he obviously trains with 185ers in his gym, he doesn’t train against me, believe me, it’s not the same thing. Even on a technical level like stand-up, that’s just, you know, his wrestling and grappling is phenomenal.
“I’m just overpowered that’s what I think. It makes a massive difference, he’s a big lightweight but I’m a big middleweight, there’s a big difference between a big lightweight and a big middleweight,” Du Plessis explained.
Although Du Plessis thinks it doesn’t make any sense because of the huge size difference, he has admitted he would be interested in the fight if they both have no one else left to fight.
“If there was ever a situation where there’s no fight for me, no fight for him that makes sense, I’d be more than happy to do it, easy payday,” the middleweight champion claimed.
Du Plessis reacts to Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker training together
Recently, former middleweight champion’s Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya broke the internet when they put their longstanding rivalry aside and started training together.
With the South African champion having beaten them both, he reacted to the surprising friendship and claimed that he would like to train with them too.
“Look at me bringing people together, it’s incredible. I mean, I’m happy, I think where they are in their careers right now it’s always great to see.
“I would love to train with Rob or Izzy, you know, both of them. With both of them right now, they still feel like they might be in the future where we fight each other so I don’t know if that would be possible but I would love to train with both of them,” Du Plessis admitted.