Dricus Du Plessis is never one to back down from a verbal exchange, but on this occasion, he’s praised a fellow UFC champion.
On February 8, at UFC 312 inside the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, ‘Stillknocks’ will attempt to make the second successful defense of his middleweight throne against Sean Strickland.
And it’s fair to say the South African is confident of beating his American rival, with Du Plessis claiming he’ll celebrate beating Strickland by breaking a beer-drinking record.
However, while the talented fighter is not concerned by what his nemesis is bringing to the table, he still has a lot of respect for his cornerman.
Dricus Du Plessis makes massive U-turn to call Alex Pereira one of the best to ever do it
The relationship between Dricus Du Plessis and Alex Pereira is certainly an interesting one, with the 185-pound King previously ripping into ‘Poatan’.
Following his victory over Israel Adesanya, he slated the icon at the UFC 305 post-fight press conference, saying: “We saw Izzy finish that man in the first round. I felt Izzy’s punching power tonight; Izzy has great timing, he’s fast, long and he has great combinations, but I felt the power. If Izzy stiffens you like that, you don’t want to be in there with me.”
While Du Plessis has made it abundantly clear that he believes he’d get the better of Pereira if the Brazilian ever moved back down a division, the 31-year-old still admires everything the legend has achieved, in not just the UFC but Glory as well, branding the power puncher as one of the best to ever grace the world of combat sports.
In an interview with Mark Bouris, the middleweight champion explained: “I think he is one of the greatest combat athletes to ever live. He is a phenomenal athlete. to go in a short period of time from a different sport and not just a different sport, kickboxing, which is not a great base for MMA—it helps, but if that’s the only thing you know, not a great base if you want to go up against these wrestling guys. He came in and just went through everyone after being one of the greatest K1 kickboxers to ever live.
“I mean multiple titles at the highest level. In a short period of time he just becomes a two-weight champion, like middleweight champion, goes to light heavyweight, becomes champion and being one of the biggest names, he’s always ready to fight.”
“I have the world’s respect for him as a fighter and as a person. We are rivals, but, I have the utmost respect for what he’s achieved in the sport and he’s truly one of the goats to ever do it—not [just] MMA or in the UFC , in combat sports. I think he’s probably, the most acheived combat sports athlete the world’s ever seen.”
Dricus Du Plessis says Alex Pereira cornering Sean Strickland ‘Won’t work’
While Du Plessis concedes that Pereira is one of the most talented competitors to have ever set foot in the octagon, he doesn’t believe the heavy-handed competitor will be able to assist Strickland in the fight.
Pereira went toe-to-toe with the polarizing contender himself back in 2022, with the Sao Paulo native rendering his opponent unconsious with a thunderous left hook.
In the years since, the pair have become close friends, with the reigning light heavyweight King going above and beyond to help his old foe hone with craft.
However, Du Plessis is adamant that Pereira won’t be able to help Strickland at UFC 312.