Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis reveals he longer wants the money fight with a recently defeated champion!
South African champion Dricus Du Plessis has been on fire lately. He recently defended his middleweight crown with an impressive win over Sean Strickland in their rematch at UFC 312. His rise has been nothing short of meteoric, going from relative unknown to UFC champion in just a few short years. With his unique fighting style and growing popularity, Du Plessis was eyeing a potential superfight that could have taken his career to new heights.
But dreams of glory and fat paychecks sometimes vanish overnight in the unforgiving octagon. That’s exactly what happened when Magomed Ankalaev defeated Alex Pereira at UFC 313 last weekend, effectively crushing Du Plessis’ hopes for a champion vs. champion money fight.
The South African fighter didn’t hide his disappointment as he watched his golden ticket get punched by someone else. The thought of fighting a now defeated champion no longer allures him.
“Thanks, Ankalaev, for taking the biggest payday of my life. “It’s nothing personal. Aura gone,” Du Plessis said while watching the fight, the video of which was published on the Jackson O’Doherty YouTube channel.
His frustration was palpable as he witnessed what could have been a career-defining opponent lose his championship aura. Now, with the prospect of that fight gone, he has opponents in his weight class to look upto, most likely Khamzat Chimaev or Nassourdine Imavov.
Du Plessis had been vocal about wanting to face Pereira, the former two-division champion with devastating knockout power. The matchup made sense – both men are known for their weird contrasting styles. Pereira, the decorated kickboxer turned MMA sensation, against du Plessis, the well-rounded fighter with surprising power. It was the kind of stylistic clash that sells pay-per-views and creates legendary moments.
He even had called him out after he defeated Sean Strickland in their rematch. “Is there no one else” he called out as he faced Alex Pereira who was in Strickland’s corner. Pereira himself had shown interest in a matchup with the South African. However now, that fight is off the table!
For Dricus Du Plessis, the focus now likely shifts to the next contenders in his own division. Names like Nassourdine Imavov, Khamzat Chimaev, or even the rising Caio Borralho could be next. The South African champion will have to console himself with the knowledge that he still holds UFC gold, something only a select few can claim. And who knows? Perhaps Alex Pereira will bounce back, reclaim his title, and the superfight talk will reignite!
(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)
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