In the world of mixed martial arts, rivalries often fuel the most intense and memorable fights. One such rivalry brewing is between UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. Pereira, known for his striking prowess and formidable presence in the octagon, has recently made headlines with his bold statements about du Plessis.
Alex Pereira has expressed a strong desire to drop down to the middleweight division to challenge Dricus du Plessis for the title. Despite currently holding the light heavyweight belt, Pereira is no stranger to the middleweight category, having previously held the title before moving up in weight class. His motivation to return to 185 pounds stems from his belief that du Plessis is avoiding a fight with him.
In a recent interview, Alex Pereira did not mince words, stating, “He shows that he’s scared.” He went on to explain that making the weight cut to 185 pounds would be more challenging than the fight itself. Pereira’s confidence in his ability to defeat du Plessis is evident, but he acknowledges the physical toll of cutting weight, especially after having moved up to light heavyweight.
The Accusations from Alex Pereira
Alex Pereira has been vocal about his interest in fighting du Plessis since the South African fighter defeated Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. He accuses du Plessis of avoiding the matchup and dismisses him as a “clown” who jokes about the potential fight. According to Pereira, du Plessis’ reluctance to engage in serious discussions about the fight indicates fear.
Cutting weight is a significant aspect of MMA, often influencing a fighter’s performance. Pereira has previously mentioned that he stopped fighting at middleweight because his body needed a break from the strenuous weight cuts. However, he now feels rested and ready to make the cut again. He believes that the challenge of making 185 pounds is greater than the challenge posed by du Plessis in the octagon.