Tag: dricus du plessis

Dricus Du Plessis Slams ‘Loser’ Brendan Allen Following Lackluster UFC Paris Performance: ‘You Suck’

Dricus Du Plessis Slams 'Loser' Brendan Allen Following Lackluster UFC Paris Performance: 'You Suck'Dricus Du Plessis and Brendan Allen traded barbs on social media following Saturday’s UFC event in The City of…

Dricus Du Plessis Slams 'Loser' Brendan Allen Following Lackluster UFC Paris Performance: 'You Suck'

Dricus Du Plessis and Brendan Allen traded barbs on social media following Saturday’s UFC event in The City of Light.

Stepping into the co-main event spotlight at Accor Arena in Paris, Allen delivered a lackluster performance against fourth-ranked middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov and ultimately saw his eight-fight win streak snapped via a unanimous decision.

Following the loss, the reigning UFC middleweight champion threw some shade at ‘All In.’

Sean Strickland

Tough luck @BrendanAllenMMA,” Du Plessis wrote on X. “JK you suck loser.”

Responding to the dig from ‘Stillknocks,’ Allen acknowledged that while UFC Paris wasn’t his night, he’ll still handle business should he get a chance to step inside the Octagon against the South African titleholder.

Sean Strickland

“Says the one been ducking me since getting in,” Allen replied. “We don’t all get the easy route. Wasnt my night tonight……but ill still fuck you up.

Dricus Du Plessis staring down the barrel of a rematch with Sean Strickland

With Allen’s loss to Imavov, it’ll probably be a while before we see a potential clash between the two middleweight warriors. In the meantime, ‘DDP’ will be tasked with taking out ex-titleholder Sean Strickland in a yet-to-be-announced rematch.

Du Plessis captured the middleweight strap via a somewhat controversial split-decision victory over ‘Tarzan’ at UFC 297 in January.

Sean Strickland

Since then, Strickland has returned to the win column with a victory against Paulo Costa, re-establishing himself as the top-ranked contender in the division. UFC CEO Dana White also confirmed that Strickland would be the next man up following the W.

All signs point to their sequel scrap going down in Du Plessis’ native South Africa next year, though no official word has been given in regards to a date or location.

Sean Strickland

Dricus Du Plessis Slams ‘Loser’ Brendan Allen Following Lackluster UFC Paris Performance: ‘You Suck’

Dricus Du Plessis Slams 'Loser' Brendan Allen Following Lackluster UFC Paris Performance: 'You Suck'Dricus Du Plessis and Brendan Allen traded barbs on social media following Saturday’s UFC event in The City of…

Dricus Du Plessis Slams 'Loser' Brendan Allen Following Lackluster UFC Paris Performance: 'You Suck'

Dricus Du Plessis and Brendan Allen traded barbs on social media following Saturday’s UFC event in The City of Light.

Stepping into the co-main event spotlight at Accor Arena in Paris, Allen delivered a lackluster performance against fourth-ranked middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov and ultimately saw his eight-fight win streak snapped via a unanimous decision.

Following the loss, the reigning UFC middleweight champion threw some shade at ‘All In.’

Sean Strickland

Tough luck @BrendanAllenMMA,” Du Plessis wrote on X. “JK you suck loser.”

Responding to the dig from ‘Stillknocks,’ Allen acknowledged that while UFC Paris wasn’t his night, he’ll still handle business should he get a chance to step inside the Octagon against the South African titleholder.

Sean Strickland

“Says the one been ducking me since getting in,” Allen replied. “We don’t all get the easy route. Wasnt my night tonight……but ill still fuck you up.

Dricus Du Plessis staring down the barrel of a rematch with Sean Strickland

With Allen’s loss to Imavov, it’ll probably be a while before we see a potential clash between the two middleweight warriors. In the meantime, ‘DDP’ will be tasked with taking out ex-titleholder Sean Strickland in a yet-to-be-announced rematch.

Du Plessis captured the middleweight strap via a somewhat controversial split-decision victory over ‘Tarzan’ at UFC 297 in January.

Sean Strickland

Since then, Strickland has returned to the win column with a victory against Paulo Costa, re-establishing himself as the top-ranked contender in the division. UFC CEO Dana White also confirmed that Strickland would be the next man up following the W.

All signs point to their sequel scrap going down in Du Plessis’ native South Africa next year, though no official word has been given in regards to a date or location.

Sean Strickland

Alex Pereira Sheds Light On Talk Of Middleweight Return: ‘I Just Needed A Break’

In his relatively short time in the UFC thus far, Alex Pereira has quickly earned a pair of championships and status as a top name in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings. Some are eyeing a potential move to heavyweight for Pereira, who defends the UFC light heavyweight championship next weekend against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307. […]

Continue Reading Alex Pereira Sheds Light On Talk Of Middleweight Return: ‘I Just Needed A Break’ at MMA News.

In his relatively short time in the UFC thus far, Alex Pereira has quickly earned a pair of championships and status as a top name in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Some are eyeing a potential move to heavyweight for Pereira, who defends the UFC light heavyweight championship next weekend against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307. But he has previously noted that he could be looking at a move back down to middleweight in the wake of Dricus Du Plessis retaining the UFC middleweight title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305.

In a new interview with The Schmo, “Poatan” stated the move to 205 pounds was done in order to take a break from tough weight cuts.

“I would like [a fight with Du Plessis] to be at middleweight,” Pereira said. “I told everybody that I just needed a break from 185, from all those weight cuts. I feel good, I feel healthy right now.”

Pereira, who was also a middleweight and light heavyweight champion in GLORY Kickboxing, made his UFC debut as a middleweight at UFC 268. He quickly won three straight before challenging Adesanya, his old kickboxing foe, for the middleweight title at UFC 281.

Pereira won via fifth-round finish but was knocked out by Adesanya in a rematch at UFC 287.

Pereira then moved up to light heavyweight, defeating Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291 before defeating Ji?í Procházka  at UFC 295 for the light heavyweight title.

Pereira has since defended the 205-pound title against Jamahal Hill and Procházka at UFC 300 and 303, respectively.

Continue Reading Alex Pereira Sheds Light On Talk Of Middleweight Return: ‘I Just Needed A Break’ at MMA News.

Former ONE C’ship Double Champion Names His UFC Hitlist After Joining Promotion

Former ONE Championship two-division titleholder Reinier De Ridder is the UFC’s latest notable signee, and he believes he’s primed to take on the challenges within the promotion’s highly competitive middleweight division. “The Dutch Knight” dominated the ONE Championship middleweight and light heavyweight divisions from November 2020 until this past March. During his tenure, De Ridder […]

Continue Reading Former ONE C’ship Double Champion Names His UFC Hitlist After Joining Promotion at MMA News.

Former ONE Championship two-division titleholder Reinier De Ridder is the UFC’s latest notable signee, and he believes he’s primed to take on the challenges within the promotion’s highly competitive middleweight division.

“The Dutch Knight” dominated the ONE Championship middleweight and light heavyweight divisions from November 2020 until this past March. During his tenure, De Ridder initially rode high on the momentum of a seven-fight win streak.

However, his reign came to an abrupt end as he suffered consecutive defeats to Anatoly Malykhin, resulting in the loss of both titles. De Ridder boasts a professional MMA record of 17-2, with an impressive 11 of those victories coming by way of submission.

De Ridder is fresh off a first-round knockout victory against Magomedmurad Khasaev at UAE Warriors this past July, and the 34-year-old Dutchman is confident he can harness that momentum as he makes his entrance into the UFC.

De Ridder Sets Sights on Top-5 Rivals Following UFC Debut

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, De Ridder revealed his aspirations for dream matchups within the UFC. “The Dutch Knight” expressed a strong desire to challenge himself against the reigning middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis, as well as former titleholders such as Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, and Sean Strickland.

The grappling prodigy emphasized that he has no time to squander now that he’s joined the UFC, and he’s eager to take on high-profile opponents.

“Right now. Let’s go,” De Ridder said. “I’m ready. That’s what I’m here for. It would be so cool to finally get a shot at those guys. They’ve been around for so long. I’ve been around for a little while now, as well, so it would be very cool to finally get a chance to fight those guys… Adesanya, Dricus, Strickland, all of them. Why not?”

However, before “The Dutch Knight” can focus on his desired matchups, he must first conquer veteran Gerald Meerschaert in his promotional debut at a Fight Night event on November 9 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Continue Reading Former ONE C’ship Double Champion Names His UFC Hitlist After Joining Promotion at MMA News.

Dricus du Plessis reacts to Khamzat Chimaev barb: ‘Before you catch another cold’

Dricus du Plessis reacts to Khamzat Chimaev barb: 'Before you catch another cold'Undisputed middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis has added fuel to the fire of his rivalry with the unbeaten, Khamzat…

Dricus du Plessis reacts to Khamzat Chimaev barb: 'Before you catch another cold'

Undisputed middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis has added fuel to the fire of his rivalry with the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev ahead of his return at UFC 308 last month — urging him to not withdraw from an Abu Dhabi return — poking fun at his recent exit from a summer comeback.

du Plessis, the current undisputed middleweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 304 back in August in Perth, Australia — successfully defending his titleholder for the first time in a dominant, eventual fourth round rear-naked choke submission win over former two-time champion, Israel Adesanya.

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As for the undefeated, Chimaev, the Chechen-born challenger has been out of action since he co-headlined UFC 294 a year ago in the Middle East — narrowly retaining his unbeaten record in a contentious majority decision win over former undisputed welterweight gold holder, Kamaru Usman.

And booked to headline UFC Fight Night Riyadh back in June in Saudi Arabia, the unbeaten, Chimaev was ruled from a matchup with former middleweight kingpin, Robert Whittaker — with an apparent “violent” illness forcing the AllStars MMA staple from his premiere headliner in the promotion.

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Dricus du Plessis pokes fun at Khamzat Chimaev’s inactivity

However, now booked co-main event UFC 308 at the end of next month in a rescheduled five round clash with the above-mentioned, Whittaker, Chimaev was the subject of a barb from South African star, Dricus du Plessis — who mocked his recent inactivity.

Robert Whittaker - Khamzat Chimaev off, then back on as UFC 308 co-Main event fight

“Put on a shirt princess before you catch another cold,” Dricus du Plessis posted in response to a social media status from the above-mentioned, Khamzat Chimaev.

Expected to take on former champion, Sean Strickland in a title fight rematch next — du Plessis is also sure to have his sights firmly set on the outcome of next month’s title eliminator between Chimaev and the above-mentioned Whittaker — whom he stopped with a brutal knockout last year during International Fight Week.

South Africa’s Sports Minister Says Dricus Du Plessis-Headlined UFC Event In ‘Final Stages Of Negotiations’

South African sports minister Gayton McKenzie recently revealed that negotiations are underway for a potential UFC event in Cape Town, with Dricus Du Plessis slated to headline. The reigning UFC middleweight champion has been very adamant in his push to bring the promotion to his homeland of South Africa for the first time. His campaign […]

Continue Reading South Africa’s Sports Minister Says Dricus Du Plessis-Headlined UFC Event In ‘Final Stages Of Negotiations’ at MMA News.

South African sports minister Gayton McKenzie recently revealed that negotiations are underway for a potential UFC event in Cape Town, with Dricus Du Plessis slated to headline.

The reigning UFC middleweight champion has been very adamant in his push to bring the promotion to his homeland of South Africa for the first time. His campaign gained momentum after he secured the title with a hard-fought split decision victory over former champion Sean Strickland at UFC 297 this past January.

The push for the event seemed to lose steam as the UFC had already locked in most of its venues for the upcoming quarter. However, the topic gained traction again before UFC 305 last month when UFC CEO Dana White hinted that if ‘Stillknocks’ could defeat fellow African star Israel Adesanya, the promotion would seriously consider bringing an event to South Africa.

With Du Plessis’ impressive submission victory over “The Last Stylebender,” it seems his wish is finally coming to fruition. Positive developments have been steadily aligning, especially after White, during the Noche UFC 306 post-fight press conference, confirmed that he’s “very serious” about hosting a UFC event in Africa.

McKenzie Confirms Du Plessis As Headliner For Potential UFC Africa Event, Host City Remains Up In The Air

According to multiple media reports, the DHL Stadium in Cape Town is in talks to construct a temporary roof at an estimated cost of R30 million (around $1.7 million) in preparation for hosting a UFC event in 2025. The 55,000-seat arena was one of the flagship venues during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Following these reports, the South African sports minister recently took to X to acknowledge that they are on the brink of sealing the deal to bring Du Plessis’ next fight to Africa. However, he also noted that the choice of host city is yet to be finalized.

“I see news articles about @UFCfight of @dricusduplessis happening in Cape Town,” McKenzie tweeted. “We are in the final stages of negotiating for the fight to happen in South Africa. We have not been given the green light. We will know by the end of October, no decision of hosting city can be made yet.”

With the host city still up in the air, the question of who ‘Stillknocks’ will face in his next title defense remains equally uncertain. Rumors are circulating, with some hinting at a possible rematch against Strickland.

Alternatively, Du Plessis has also suggested moving up a weight class to challenge reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira — or perhaps Pereira could move down to face him, a possibility he himself has hinted at.

However, “Poatan” is already scheduled to defend his light heavyweight crown against Khalil Rountree in the main event of UFC 307 on October 5. Only time will reveal who will ultimately stand across from Du Plessis in the Octagon at the much-anticipated showdown on African soil.

Continue Reading South Africa’s Sports Minister Says Dricus Du Plessis-Headlined UFC Event In ‘Final Stages Of Negotiations’ at MMA News.