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Dricus Du Plessis’ Coach Offers Alternative To Alex Pereira’s Middleweight Tease: ‘I Won’t Give Him The Joy…’

The coach of UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis likes the idea of his man facing Alex Pereira, but not as “Poatan” has proposed. Du Plessis maintained his grip on the 185-pound crown at this past weekend’s UFC 305 pay-per-view in Perth, Australia, adding a first successful defense to his resume at the expense of […]

Continue Reading Dricus Du Plessis’ Coach Offers Alternative To Alex Pereira’s Middleweight Tease: ‘I Won’t Give Him The Joy…’ at MMA News.

The coach of UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis likes the idea of his man facing Alex Pereira, but not as “Poatan” has proposed.

Du Plessis maintained his grip on the 185-pound crown at this past weekend’s UFC 305 pay-per-view in Perth, Australia, adding a first successful defense to his resume at the expense of former two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya.

Their entertaining main event and the South African’s feat of becoming the first to submit “The Last Stylebender” remains a hot topic, but talk is also already turning to what could lie next for him.

Judging by Dana White’s recent remarks, that would appear likely to be a rematch with Sean Strickland, the man from whom Du Plessis captured the middleweight gold this past January. But one other notable name recently put his name into the mix.

Reigning light heavyweight and former middleweight kingpin Alex Pereira was on hand with his post-UFC 305 reaction, teasing a returning to the 185-pound division to do battle with “Stillknocks.”

That callout got a positive response from Du Plessis’ coach. Well, sort of…

Du Plessis’ Coach Accepts Pereira Fight — On One Condition

During a backstage interview with Submission Radio at the RAC Arena, Du Plessis’ coach Morne Visser reflected on his man’s triumph Down Under and looked ahead to what could be next.

In terms of Pereira’s social media post, the Team CIT head trainer green lit a clash between Du Plessis and “Poatan,” but only if it sees the South African receive an opportunity at achieving two-weight glory.

“No, I won’t give him (Pereira) the joy to go down to 185; we’ll just go up,” Visser said. “He (Du Plessis) doesn’t want to beat him (at middleweight because) he’ll say that (they’ve) gone down, he was fatigued, and whatever. So no, we’ll go up.

“I’m sure that the UFC will be okay with it, if that’s what he’s said, (and) I know Dricus is game. So we’ll go up, we won’t wait for him to come down,” Visser continued. “He’s fighting in October, so I really hope that the UFC gives us this blessing for December.”

For now, Pereira will be preparing for his surprise return at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City this fall, with the Brazilian set to put his light heavyweight belt on the line against Khalil Rountree on October 5.

What would come after a potential victory over “The War Horse” remains to be seen, but it seems that a possible middleweight return now sits alongside frequent heavyweight teases for “Poatan.”

Read More: 5 Positives & 3 Negatives From UFC 305: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya

Continue Reading Dricus Du Plessis’ Coach Offers Alternative To Alex Pereira’s Middleweight Tease: ‘I Won’t Give Him The Joy…’ at MMA News.

Dricus Du Plessis Tells Alex Pereira to Stay at 205, Aiming for Two-Division Gold

Dricus Du Plessis Alex Pereira Dricus Du Plessis successfully defended his middleweight title at UFC 305 and was called out by the UFC’s light…

Dricus Du Plessis successfully defended his middleweight title at UFC 305 and was called out by the UFC’s light heavyweight champion just moments later.

The war between Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya was very competitive. Du Plessis struggled to take down ‘The Last Stylebender’ and even took some brutal shots in round three. However, ultimately, the tides of war would change, and Du Plessis wobbled Adesanya in round four on his way to a submission victory.

After the fight, Alex Pereira posted a picture of himself sitting next to his TV that showed a victorious DDP raising his arms, with the middleweight title wrapped around his waist. “Coming down to 185 one more time,” read Pereira’s caption.

Alex Pereira’s callout of Dricus Du Plessis on Instagram

Dricus Du Plessis scoffs at Alex Pereira’s callout

“I honestly don’t think Alex Pereira should drop down to 185,” Du Plessis said at the UFC 305 post-fight press conference (H/T MMA Fighting). “If he wants to, great, perfect. But then we’re going to hear the excuses. I 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 not when you’ve got to come in there with the excuses, ‘Oh, I cut too much weight.’ That’s going to happen. Everybody’s going to say it.”

“Stay at 205, fight your fight against the No. 8 ranked guy,” Dricus Du Plessis said, speaking on Pereira’s upcoming fight against Rountree. “Fight your fight there and enjoy it. If Strickland is the next fight, the people want to see that fight — if that’s the fight that people want to see and that’s the fight right now people think is the next best guy, then it’s the fight that I want. So let me handle my business, you handle your business.”

‘I’m Not F***ing Leaving’ Israel Adesanya Not Looking to Retire Despite Loss

Israel Adesanya was adamant about the future after losing to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305, maintaining that this…

Israel Adesanya was adamant about the future after losing to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305, maintaining that this would not be the end for him.

The battle was very even in the first few rounds. Eventually, Adesanya looked to be edging out a lead with the aid of some spectacular body shots in the third round. However, Du Plessis wasn’t about to give up, and he wobbled ‘The Last Stylebender’ in the fourth round, which led to him securing a takedown and later on the submission victory over Adesanya.

At 35 years of age and coming off back-to-back losses, Adesanya could easily step away from the sport. According to his account, that’s not what he intends to do, though. He didn’t even seem in very bad spirits after the fight and held a rather optimistic outlook.

Israel Adesanya makes it clear that his MMA career isn’t over

“…I’m disappointed in myself but at the same time proud,” Israel Adesanya told Daniel Cormier during his post-fight interview in the octagon. “Cuz this is the best I’ve ever felt. This is the best I’ve ever looked. And I just had the better man on the night, so I give him respect for that.”

Cormier pointed out that this fight would be Adesanya’s 12th consecutive title fight and asked him what he intended to do next. Israel Adesanya didn’t hesitate to be upfront with his answer and maintained that he intended to go absolutely nowhere. “I’m not f***ing leaving!” Adesanya would exclaim, the crowd roaring in approval.

Now, on a bit of a skid, it is unclear when Adesanya wishes to return to MMA action. At his age, it will undoubtedly take an extraordinary fight to motivate him to return. Who knows what the UFC’s Middleweight title landscape will look like when he does?

Do you think Dricus Du Plessis has what it takes to go on a memorable title reign?

Sean Strickland calls for Dricus du Plessis rematch after UFC 305: ‘Time for war Dutchman’

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland has already been pegged for a title rematch with Dricus du Plessis ahead…

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland has already been pegged for a title rematch with Dricus du Plessis ahead of UFC 305 overnight, however, now that the South African has prevailed, the ex-champion has made his feelings on an immediate rematch clear.

Strickland, the current number one ranked contender, most recently returned to winning ways in the co-main event of UFC 302 back in May in New Jersey, landing a decision win over former title challenger, Paulo Costa.

The win returned the former gold holder to winning-ways following a prior January loss to the above-mentioned, du Plessis at UFC 297 in January – in hugely controversial circumstances.

As for du Plessis, the Pretoria native continued his stunning, roughshod run through middleweight elites overnight in the main event of UFC 305 in Perth, settling his longstanding grudge with common-foe, Israel Adesanya.

Battling the City Kickboxing striker over the course of four rounds, du Plessis would land the first defense of the middleweight title – courtesy of a stunning rear-naked choke win, marking an end to their bitter feud in the wake of their matchup.

Dricus du Plessis called out by Sean Strickland at UFC 305

And while he has suggested a pairing with former champion and prior opponent, Robert Whittaker should come first, du Plessis has already been welcomed as a foe by a host of suitors – most notably, Sean Strickland.

“Time for war Dutchman,” Sean Strickland posted on his official X account in reaction to Dricus du Plessis’ win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305.

Time for war Dutch man……

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 18, 2024

And while Strickland has welcomed a rematch with du Plessis, the undisputed middleweight kingpin has already been sought out by incumbent light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira – who has vowed to return to his old stomping ground of 185lbs to make good on a title fight with the South African.

UFC 305: Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya End Rivalry with a Kiss

The leadup to UFC 305 between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya was a bad-blood affair filled with trash-talking…

The leadup to UFC 305 between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya was a bad-blood affair filled with trash-talking about colonialism and a person’s roots. But, after the fight, the two athletes showed respect to one another and sealed it with a kiss.

Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya End Rivalry with a Kiss

“The Last Stylebender” Israel Adesanya is a Nigerian-Kiwi fighter who proudly represents his home nation of Nigeria and the continent of Africa. Along with Francis Ngannou and Kamaru Usman, these athletes called themselves the three kings of Africa when all of them held UFC titles.

In the leadup to the fight, Adesanya criticized Du Plessis for not being an African as he is a white person. Stillknocks” Dricus Du Plessis was confused as he was born in South Africa where he still resides to this day. In response, the South African fighter countered by saying Adesanya grew up wealthy.

After four rounds of action, in a closely fought back-and-forth fight, Dricus Du Plessis was able to defend his middleweight crown against the former division champion by fourth-round submission. “The Last Stylebender” was graceful and said that tonight Africa won. Du Plessis said that Adesanya is a legend and it was an honor fighting him, he also gifted his opponent a jacket from South Africa.

After the fight, while in the cage, the two hugged, and Israel Adesanya kissed his fingers and placed them on Dricus Du Plessis’s lips which caused both to laugh. See the video below:

Dricus Du Plessis was congratulated on his win by the president of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa. His next middleweight bout is likely a rematch against Sean Strickland, the man he originally took the middleweight crown from. Other top contenders include the winner of Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev who are booked for UFC 308.

President of South Africa Congratulates Dricus Du Plessis on UFC 305 Win

Stillknocks” Dricus Du Plessis was congratulated on his title win by the president of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa. Live…

Stillknocks” Dricus Du Plessis was congratulated on his title win by the president of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa. Live from Perth, Australia, Du Plessis defended his middleweight championship at UFC 305 with a submission against the former champion Israel Adesanya.

President of South Africa Congratulates Dricus Du Plessis

Leading into UFC 305, there was a series of trash talk regarding whether or not Dricus Du Plessis was truly African as he is a white person. The Nigerian-Kiwi Adesanya felt that “Stillknocks” does not represent Africa which Du Plessis didn’t understand as he was born and still lives in South Africa.

After the fight, the two fighters had a great showing of respect for each other. Du Plessis said that it was an honor to share the cage with Adesanya while the Nigerian Kiwi said that tonight Africa won.

After UFC 305, the South African-born athlete got some high praise. The president of South Africa congratulated Dricus Du Plessis on his impressive win and representing the nation. On X, formerly Twitter, Cyril Ramaphosa said:

Congratulations, Dricus Du Plessis, on retaining your UFC middleweight world championship with a submission in #UFC305. As a bonus, you kept our Flag flying hours after the Springboks scored an historic a 2-0 series win in Perth as well. We couldn’t wish for a better day in the office.

Australia and South Africa have long had a bitter sports rivalry in Rugby and Cricket. Recently, the South African rugby team, known as the Springboks, defeated the Australian team, the Wallabies. This match was part of a series, and South Africa’s win in Perth marked a 2-0 series victory over Australia

Cyril Ramaphosa is proud of his nation, having Rugby wins and Dricus Du Plessis’s victory on the same weekend. Nelson Mandela had Ramaphosa as secretary general when he was in office. After a lifetime in South African politics, he was elected president in 2018.