- Dricus du Plessis addressed Alex Pereira’s callout
- “Stillknocks” believes he could stop Sean Strickland but personally favors Robert Whittaker as the most deserving challenger
Dricus du Plessis has warned Alex Pereira about wanting to face him and is confident he could finish Sean Strickland but believes Robert Whittaker is the most deserving of the next title shot.
Alex should mind his business for now
Right after Du Plessis tapped Adesanya at UFC 305, Pereira took to social media and called out “Stillknocks.” The Brazilian said he would come down to 185 again just to face Du Plessis to which the current middleweight champ responded.
Speaking to the media after his submission win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, “Stillknocks” said he wants to face Strickland next because of the fans and “Poatan” should not bother coming down to middleweight as he would move up after finishing “Tarzan.”
“I honestly don’t think Alex Pereira should drop down to 185. If he wants to, great, perfect. But then we’re going to get the excuses. We saw Izzy stiff that man in the first round. I felt Izzy’s punching power tonight. 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. Especially when you’re going to come in there with excuses like I cut too much weight, everyone is going to say that,” Du Plessis said.
“Strickland is the next fight, the people wanna see that fight… then it’s the fight that I want. So, let me handle my business, you handle your business. You don’t have to cut the weight so you’ll have some sort of excuse, I’ll come up. After the Strickland fight, I’ll come up to 205 and we’ll sort it out then,” he added.
Dricus du Plessis talks Alex Pereira: If Izzy stiffens you like that, you do not want to be in there with me.#UFC305 pic.twitter.com/D6LxlRIOIy
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) August 18, 2024
Dricus doesn’t think Sean can match him
, “Stillknocks” was quizzed to comment about “Tarzan,” whom many believe is the next title challenger. According to Du Plessis, Strickland may have defeated Izzy but his performance against “The Last Stylebender” at UFC 305 certainly proves that he could finish “Tarzan.”
“Going into that Strickland fight now I know, I’ve been in there with him, and he can’t handle what I have… He can’t handle what I have to offer so this time I can finish him. Yeah, he beat Izzy, but now we have a comparison, that’s how you finish someone,” Du Plessis said.
Dricus du Plessis thinks he’ll finish Sean Strickland in a rematch:
“I’ve been in there with [Strickland]. He can’t handle what I have…
This time I can finish him.”#UFC #MMA #UFC305 pic.twitter.com/4MZWULr04e
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 18, 2024
Sean could be in danger in South Africa
Prior to UFC 305, Strickland publicly hinted at his concerns about potentially fighting Du Plessis in South Africa for the middleweight title.
UFC if Dricus, wins you might have to go to SA
Yall do you really want me going to a corrupt country with deep seated racism and poverty that is usually on the brink of a civil war?!?!
"Here's the thing about South Africa" lol
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 16, 2024
Strickland suggested that he might encounter some troubles when that happens which “Stillknocks” seemingly acknowledged, implying that it wouldn’t be a shock given Strickland’s flamboyant and demeaning personality.
“I actually saw something like that… we can see Sean Strickland. South Africa, it’s different. It’s different. We saw that tonight. I said it’s the jungle out there. Sean Strickland, the way he does things, yeah, I hope he makes it to the fight,” Du Plessis said.
Dricus Du Plessis asked about any concerns to fight Sean Strickland if it took place in South Africa:
Sean Strickland, the way he does things, yeah, I hope he makes it to the fight. pic.twitter.com/ISoqcCUl27
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) August 18, 2024
Robert is DDP’s personal choice
Du Plessis has no problem facing Strickland, especially with fans yearning to see them take on each other inside the Octagon. However, the reigning middleweight champion personally prefers Whittaker over everybody else in the division.
“Robert Whittaker,” Du Plessis said when asked who he thinks is the most deserving title contender as of now. “Robert Whittaker deserves the shot. I think he’s being done over. Whittaker beat Costa. Sean Strickland’s only saving grace is the fact he went to decision with me. That’s it.”
Dricus du Plessis believes Robert Whittaker deserves the title shot over Sean Strickland:
“Robert Whittaker deserves the shot. I think he’s being done over.”#UFC #MMA #UFC305 pic.twitter.com/7kqJtLZNxF
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 18, 2024
Du Plessis has successfully defended his middleweight title. Prior to this, the champ edged Strickland and finished Whittaker. As it stands, Pereira is the only potential opponent “Stillknocks” hasn’t faced yet among his options.
