The UFC middleweight gold stayed with South Africa and Dricus Du Plessis this past weekend. Du Plessis defended his title in the main event of UFC 305 pay-per-view (PPV), submitting former champ Israel Adesanya. Subsequently, now he has the attention of Izzy’s old dance partner and former 185-pound champion Alex Pereira. A potential super fight could happen if Pereira wants to force UFC’s hands.
Moreover, Pereira teased a move down again that did the rounds on the internet (@alexpoatanpereira on IG) as his most viewed post! Alex Pereira remains quite a force, but the weight cut to 185 pounds might not bode well for him. The awkward style of DDP already got the better of three of the past four champions in his division in Adesanya, Sean Strickland, and Robert Whittaker.
The South African star has earned six of his eight UFC victories by stoppage. Du Plessis’ eight-fight UFC winning streak at middleweight is the longest at 185. So while ‘Poatan’ is the fastest dual-division champ and No. 2 in pound-for-pound listings, Du Plessis treads ahead individually after Israel Adesanya. Pereira’s move to 205 pounds was largely because the weight cuts to compete at middleweight were exhausting.
Alex Pereira said that he wants to fight Dricus Du Plessis at 185 lbs and DDP replied saying he’d come up to 205 lbs to fight Pereira for his belt 👀
They both want a shot at becoming a double champion against each other 🏆🏆 #UFC305 pic.twitter.com/ipRCTbgnKL
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 18, 2024
In four fights at LHW, Pereira has scored three stoppages – all in title fights. The 37-year-old has already booked his next assignment against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307. There’s no telling if the UFC is interested in booking Du Plessis vs. Pereira. But by the looks of it, a heavyweight aspirant, Pereira, having a last dance at middleweight, is creating substantial buzz after UFC 305.
Is UFC giving Alex Pereira preferential treatment? LHW peers pitch in
Dricus Du Plessis’ inexplicable success does not align with his awkward style. His UFC 305 title win over Israel Adesanya has even drawn the like of Alex Pereira into the mix. As of now, they both have work in their weight classes. For Poatan, that now includes Rountree. But such a mix-mash of ranking and indulgence in middleweight competition shout hints of preferential treatment. Jan Blachowicz, who gave Pereira arguably his toughest test at 205 pounds, is stunned.
Alex Pereira at UFC Light Heavyweight (Source: X/Instagram)The Brazilian has fielded callouts from all such names at LHW, including the interesting Magomed Ankalaev. If there were any lingering questions about Du Plessis’ legitimacy as a champion, there’s none now. However, Blachowicz does not understand why a prime-value 205-pound champion is interested in an 185-pound guy.
Also, there is a question of why top-ranked stars weren’t in the listings as potential opponents instead of a lower-ranking Rountree. Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill have pitched in similarly. Ankalaev, though, is ready to smash all competition in his own way.
I received a lot of messages today regarding the light heavyweight title fight, my job is to smash people’s face who they put in front of me, I will destroy Rakic in Abu Dhabi and I will not be denied, I don’t need nobody to feel bad for me @danawhite @Mickmaynard2
Magomed Ankalaev via X (@AnkalaevM)
I Received a lot of messages today regarding the Light Heavyweight title fight, my job is to smash people’s face who they put in front of me, I will destroy Rakic in Abu Dhabi and I will not be denied, I don’t need nobody to feel bad for me @danawhite @Mickmaynard2
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) August 16, 2024
Jan Blachowicz is NOT happy with the Rountree vs Pereira booking 😳
“No f***ing idea… what the f***. Why they book Ankalaev with Rakic? Why they don’t ask me about this?…
I feel like [there is] special protection for Pereira… maybe [the UFC] doesn’t want to make [our… pic.twitter.com/R6ixV5XlH9
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 20, 2024
Jamahal Hill has also never shot for a takedown in his career.
Alex is so lucky with these matchups and the current state of LHW. https://t.co/4jmBMKdE0V
— The Honest Jones Fan🦆 (@SmackdownLayer) August 20, 2024
Blachowicz was the one who welcomed Pereira to the LHW – a fight he still insists he won. Speaking to James Lynch for MiddleEasy.com (@MiddleEasy), he hypothesized the UFC tactically picks strikers for Pereira to shine. To that end, a Striker vs. Striker showdown for Pereira (Rountree) at even at 185 (Du Plessis) could also prove valuable. Nevertheless, the matchmaking didn’t please any of the contenders.
