Sean Strickland can’t see Alex Pereira making the move back down to middleweight.
Following Dricus Du Plessis’ fourth-round submission victory over Israel Adesany at UFC 305, ‘Poatan’ shared a post online suggesting that he might move back down to 185 for a potential scrap with the middleweight champ. However, Strickland finds that hard to believe.
Instead, ‘Tarzan’ thinks Pereira would be better served by welcoming Du Plessis up to 205 for a potential champion vs. champion clash.
“Alex’s big ass ain’t going back down to 185, dude,” Strickland told ESPN. “As a welterweight that moved up to 185, once you get used to that weight class, the thought of going back down sounds f*cking miserable.
“I think Alex should fight [du Plessis] at 205 [pounds] any day of the week.”
Strickland, who was KO’d by Pereira at UFC 276, is expected to be Du Plessis’ next opponent in a rematch of their January 2024 scrap that saw ‘Stillknocks’ come out on top via split decision.
Needless to say, ‘Tarzan’ doesn’t want the ‘Brazilian Boogeyman’ to swoop down and steal his spot, but after seeing how rough Pereira’s last cut to 185 was, he’s fairly confident that the two-division titleholder’s days at middleweight are over.
“I remember seeing Alex for his last fight [at 185 pounds] in the back room, and dude, he looked like f*cking death,” Strickland said. “Like, when he last [cut to] middleweight, I walked through to say hi to him, and dude, he just looked like f*cking death, like to the point where I’m like, ‘Man, this ain’t good for you, dude. Go up.’
“So I think at 205 he’d [fight du Plessis] in a heartbeat, but [185] man, I can’t see him doing that. Luckily for us.”
Sean Strickland doesn't think Alex Pereira will cut back down to 185 ever again "luckily for us" 💀
"I remember seeing Alex for his last fight [at middleweight] in the back room, and he looked like f***ing death… to a point where I'm like man, this ain't good for you."
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 21, 2024
Sean Strickland Welcomes Rematch with Israel Adesanya
While Strickland hopes to never cross paths with Alex Pereira inside the Octagon again, he’s more than happy to run it back with the man he took the middleweight title from nearly a year ago.
“I’ve never picked a fight, I’ve never said no, I’ve never said anything,” Strickland said. “If [Adesanya] wants to come run that sh*t back, run it back, dude. I don’t give a f*ck. Just f*cking leave your dog collar at home you f*cking weirdo.”
Sean Strickland on if he’d be down to rematch Israel Adesanya if he wins the title:
“If he wants to come run that sh*t back, run it back dude I don’t give a f***.
Just f***ing leave your dog collar at home you f***ing weirdo.”
🎥 @espnmma #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/7eozIMEf7e
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 21, 2024
Strickland snatched the title away from ‘The Last Stylebender’ with a lights-out performance at UFC 293 last year, claiming his first UFC gold in the process. With Adesanya strictly playing the role of contender for the first time in over five years, it’s possible that their paths could cross again—depending on how things play out between Strickland and Du Plessis in their all, but guaranteed sequel.
Watch the full ESPN interview with Strickland below:
