“If Izzy stiffened you like that,” Dricus du Plessis WARNS Alex Pereira teasing return to 185-pound division after UFC 305

Dricus Du Plessis sends message to light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira about moving down to middleweight division.

“If Izzy stiffened you like that,” Dricus du Plessis WARNS Alex Pereira teasing return to 185-pound division after UFC 305

Dricus Du Plessis warns Alex Pereira (Image via Imago)

Dricus Du Plessis recently defeated Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. After this, current light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira hinted at returning to the middleweight division where he previously held the championship title. However, the South African champion had a message for his predecessor. Here is what happened:

After his victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, Dricus Du Plessis sat down for the questions at the post-fight press conference. There he responded to Alex Pereira’s callout regarding a potential return to the middleweight division.

I felt Izzy’s punching power tonight. You know, Izzy has great timing. He’s fast, he’s long, and he has great combinations, but I felt the power. If Izzy stiffens you like that, you do not want to be in there with me.
Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305 post fight press conference
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In their UFC 287 matchup, Adesanya secured a spectacular knockout in the second round to reclaim the middleweight title. This victory was a redemption for Adesanya, as it marked his first win over Pereira in their four combat sports matchups (two in kickboxing and two in MMA).

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‘Stillknocks’ was skeptical about Pereira dropping back to 185 pounds. He stated that ‘Poatan’ might start making excuses related to weight cutting if they fought. Instead, Du Plessis expressed more interest in facing Sean Strickland for a rematch, aiming to finish him this time before potentially moving up to light heavyweight himself. 

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Dricus Du Plessis’ coach wants to take on Alex Pereira at light-heavyweight

Alex Pereira is currently the light heavyweight champion. He recently announced his intention to drop back to 185 lbs although he has a fight coming up at UFC 307 against Khalil Rountree Jr. He aims to challenge reigning champion Du Plessis for the middleweight title.

Alex Pereira wants a potential Dricus Du Plessis fight
Alex Pereira wants a potential Dricus Du Plessis fight (via ImagoX)

If successful, this matchup could happen in early 2025. However, as per recent statements team Du Plessis is not interested in fighting Alex Pereira at middleweight. The South African’s coach, Morne Visser recently did an interview on Submission Radio where he gave his statement on this.

No – I won’t give him the joy to go down to 185. We’ll just go up… He doesn’t want to beat him he’ll say that we’ve gone down, he was fatigued and whatever so no, we’ll go up.

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Visser said he was sure that the UFC would be okay with it. He knew ‘Stillknocks’ was game, so his plan was not to wait for ‘Poatan’ to come down. Instead, he plans to potentially take on the Brazilian in December if the UFC allowed it. Pereira has already fought twice this year so it will be interesting to see when this highly anticipated showdown takes place.

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