MMA Knockout

UFC News: Alex Pereira Suggests Return To 185, Dricus Du Plessis Rejects Plea

Dricus Du Plessis and Alex Periera exchanged barbs following Du Plessis' submission against Israel Adesanya.

Zain Bando

Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports / Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) isn't buying Alex Pereira's request for a title fight in Pereira's old weight division.

Pereira has quickly established himself as the most active champion in the promotion, as his next fight will see him headline UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah, in October, opposite eighth-ranked Khalil Rountree (13-5 MMA, 9-5, 1 NC UFC). It'll be Pereira's third light heavyweight title fight of the year, essentially resurrecting 205 pounds after Jon Jones' move to heavyweight.

Du Plessis, who secured a fourth-round rear-naked-choke Saturday night (or Sunday afternoon) in Perth, Western Australia, against Israel Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC), said Pereira should reconsider his next move and stick to his division.

Du Plessis pointed to the way Pereira exited the middleweight division as his main rationale for why he would not play into Pereira's request.

UFC 307: Huge Alex Pereira Title Fight Headlines Salt Lake City Pay-Per-View

"If Izzy stiffened you like that, you do not want to be in there with me," Du Plessis said.

UFC 305: Kai Kara-France Delivers Stunning First-Round Finish in Co-Main Event

Meanwhile, Pereira, who was watching Du Plessis' victory closely, posted a picture to social media with a message to Du Plessis, which was translated from Portuguese.

"Coming down to 185 one more time," Pereira wrote.

Du Plessis vs. Pereira Would Continue A Stretch Of Unique UFC Fight Bookings

If the UFC proceeded with booking Du Plessis against Pereira, assuming Pereira gets past Rountree in October, it would be a rare super-fight opportunity, something the promotion has been largely opposed to in the past. This isn't to say the idea has never happened before, with a recent example that saw Adesanya move up to challenge then-champion Jan Błachowicz at UFC 259, ultimately coming up short in a losing effort.

Regardless of what the UFC decides to do next, there are plenty of options for both men, as they are quickly establishing themselves as two of the promotion's most well-known champions.

UFC 305: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya Free Live Stream Results & Highlights

Read More UFC & MMA News

• UFC 307: Khalil Rountree Calls Alex Pereira ‘Fight of the Year’, Replies to Ex-Champ

• UFC 307: Jamahal Hill Baffled by Khalil Rountree Jr. Title Shot vs. Alex Pereira

• UFC News: Champion Belal Muhammad Called Out for First Title Defense

• Noche UFC Secures Backup Fighter for Sphere Show, Official UFC 306 Poster Released

Stick with MMA Knockout for more daily coverage of the UFC, MMA, WWE, and AEW.

Follow MMA Knockout on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Published
Zain Bando
ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer for MMA Knockout, part of the Sports Illustrated/Minute Media umbrella. He has covered combat sports since 2019 for notable outlets BJPenn.com and FanSided MMA. He also co-hosts a podcast called "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, which airs Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. A Chicago suburban native, Bando has been enthralled with MMA since 2006 and has been fortunate to attend some of the most high-profile events in the sport's history, both as a fan and media member, including UFC 264, Bellator 297 and Kayla Harrison's PFL MMA debut. He is excited to take the next step in his combat sports writing journey and looks forward to continuing his following of the fight game for years to come. Bando can be reached via email at zainbando99@gmail.com or by social media @zainbando99

Home/News