Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis has had his say on the upcoming light heavyweight title fight.
This Saturday, the premier promotion returns to Las Vegas for UFC 320, headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira.
When the two met earlier this year at UFC 313, Ankalaev pulled off the shock win when he dominated the Brazilian on the feet for five rounds, showcasing his own kickboxing skills.
And ahead of their rematch, the fanbase and fellow pros are once again split with their predictions, with legendary kickboxer claiming that Pereira will ‘crush’ the Russian to reclaim his title.
Dricus Du Plessis provides surprise UFC 320 prediction
Ahead of their first fight, Ankalaev shocked the UFC fanbase when he claimed that he will stand and strike with ‘Poatan’ instead of wrestling him, but fortunately for him, it worked out.
However, the Brazilian recently claimed that he was only at 40% for their fight and was dealing with injuries going into it, which he attributes to his mediocre performance.
Despite that, ‘Poatan’ is back in full spirits and ahead of their rematch he has admitted that the time off he has had was the best thing for him to do.
And with it being a highly anticipated rematch, former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis has provided his surprise prediction for the clash.
“The thing with Pereira is, he’s a brilliant fighter in the sense that he walks you down, he’s intimidating because he hits so hard, he doesn’t care if he walks into the fire,” Du Plessis said on Fight Forecast.
“Ankalaev was smart in the first fight to stay out the way and then get all the way in to smother him and put him on the back foot. When Pereira’s on the back foot, he’s not the best, that’s not his style.
“But they now know Ankalaev’s gonna close that gap. I know Ankalaev said he’s gonna strike with him, I don’t think that’s a good idea, I really don’t think that’s a good idea but yeah, I really don’t see this fight going the distance this time and I’m putting my money on Pereira,” Du Plessis continued.
Alex Pereira can break UFC legend’s record with win at UFC 320
‘Poatan’ went from being one of the biggest stars in combat sports to just another light heavyweight contender.
However, his reign over the 205lb division over the last few years cannot be understated. And with a win over the Russian champion on Saturday night, Pereira can break Daniel Cormier’s record for the most light heavyweight title wins.