PERTH, Australia– Dricus Du Plessis has a counterproposal for Alex Pereira after he declared he will go back to middleweight following UFC 305.
Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) registered his very first middleweight title defense Saturday when he sent Israel Adesanya in the 4th round at RAC Arena. Quickly after his hand was raised, previous divisional kingpin and existing light heavyweight champ Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) sent out a clear message that he will go back to his previous weight class.
If Du Plessis was to combat Pereira, nevertheless, his choice would be for it not to occur at 185 pounds. It's clear Pereira cut an enormous quantity of weight to combat because department, and Du Plessis believes the Brazilian returning down would sully a possible success in his favor.
Since of that, Du Plessis pitched the concept of going up to 205 pounds, where Pereira would be at optimum strength.
“I truthfully do not believe Alex Pereira need to fall to 185,” Du Plessis informed press reporters, consisting of MMA Junkie, post-fight at UFC 305. “If he wishes to? Great. Perfect. Then we're going to hear the reasons. I saw Izzy stiff that guy in the (2nd) round. I felt Izzy's punching power. Izzy has excellent timing. He's quickly, he's long and he has excellent mixes, however I felt the power. If Izzy stiffens you like that, you do not wish to exist in with me– specifically not when you're going to include the reason of, ‘I cut excessive weight.'
“That's going to take place. Everybody is going to state that. Remain at 205. Combat your battle versus the No. 8-ranked guy, (Khalil Rountree at UFC 307). Cool. Battle your battle there and enjoy it. If (Sean) Strickland is the next battle that individuals wish to see that battle– that's the battle individuals wish to see which's the battle individuals believe is the next finest guy– then that's the battle that I desire. Let me manage my organization, you manage your organization. You do not need to cut the weight to have some sort of reason. I'll turn up after the Strickland battle. I'll come near 205 and we'll arrange it out there.”
Du Plessis, 30, stated he's not aiming to get away the middleweight department and understands he has much work to do. He has substantial aspirations for achievement under the UFC banner, however if the members of the marketing brass are open to a match in between Pereira and him, he happily would leap up to seize the day to end up being a two-weight champ.
“If that's what the UFC desires, I'll be prepared for it,” Du Plessis stated. “I'll be all set for it today, however I'm not chasing after that. I think to be thought about as the best to ever do this sport, I require to be thought about as the best middleweight,
