Dricus Du Plessis has his sights set on becoming a two-division champion, but not before he takes care of some business at middleweight.
On January 20, ‘Stillknocks’ captured the 185-pound crown, besting Sean Strickland in the UFC 297 main event. Nearly two months later Du Plessis is yet to book his first title defense, but in all likelihood, that will come against former two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya sometime this summer.
Speaking with Cameron Saaiman about his career trajectory now that he is the middleweight division’s top dog, DDP suggested that adding a second world title to his collection is something on his radar, but only after he bags a few successful defenses first.
“Everybody wants to be a double champ, I understand that. I want to be a double champ and I’m going to be a double champ,” Du Plessis said. “But I am willing to say, ‘Okay, if there’s people left to fight, if [Robert] Whittaker just keeps on beating everybody, who am I going to fight?’
“That’s 100 percent realistic for me,” he continued. “I’m not counting down to say I’m going to move up to Light Heavyweight after beating ‘Izzy’ (Israel Adesanya), no. I just believe it’s fair to say defend your belt three times because that’s very convincing in taking care of your division then go up to Light Heavyweight. I’m willing to make that happen.”
Dricus Du Plessis plans to move to Light Heavyweight eventually, but says he likes the idea of a minimum of 3 defenses before moving up in weight.
He also says he’s going to be a double champion, and believes size won’t be a problem:
“I’m going to be a double champion… I know… pic.twitter.com/vpXeKgNx7S
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 6, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis already knows a thing or two about becoming a champ-champ, having captured the welterweight and middleweight titles under the KSW banner in Poland before signing with the UFC.
Dricus Du Plessis is Excited About the UFC 300 Headliner
Current light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira is expected to put his belt on the line on April 13 when the promotion presents its next big landmark event, UFC 300, in Las Vegas. ‘Poatan’ will meet former champion Jamahal Hill in the evening’s headliner.
“That’s an incredible fight,” Du Plessis said of Pereira vs. Hill. “That’s a good fight. You have this — both strikers, but you have one guy who’s such a clinical striker then you have this guy that he just fires and he throws bombs. Listen, if Jamahal Hill knocks out Alex Pereira I will not be surprised.
“We’ve seen Alex Pereira get hurt a lot,” he continued. “I don’t think Jamahal Hill needs to make it a dog fight. If he’s going to stand in range and get kicked the whole time, Alex Pereira’s just going to lead his legs then it’s over.”
Watch the full interview below:
