Dricus Du Plessis is never anyone who withdrew from a verbal exchange, but on this occasion he praised a colleague champion.
On 8 February, on UFC 312 in the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, 'Still Knocks' will try to make the second successful defense of his middleweight throne against Sean Strickland.
And it is fair to say that the South African is convinced to defeat his American rival, where Du Plessis claims that he will celebrate the Strickland by breaking a beer-drinking plate.
Although the talented hunter is not worried about what his archenemy brings to the table, he still has a lot of respect for his Hoekman.
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty images
Dricus du Plessis makes huge U-turn to name Alex Pereira one of the best to ever do it
The relationship between Dricus du Plessis and Alex Pereira is certainly interesting, with the 185-pound king rather in 'Patan'.
After his victory over Israel Adesanya, he hit the icon at the UFC 305 Post-Fight Press Conference and said: “We saw Izzy finishing that man in the first round. I felt Izzy's Punching -Power tonight; Izzy has a great timing, he is fast, long and he has great combinations, but I felt the power. If Izzy stiffen you so much, you don't want to be with me there. “
Although Du Plessis has made it clear that he believes that he would get the upper hand of Pereira if the Brazilian ever returned a division, the 31-year-old still admires everything that the legend has achieved, not only in the UFC but Glory also brands From the Power Puncher as one of the best to ever adorn the world of combat sports.
In an interview with Mark Bouris, the middleweight champion explained: “I think he is one of the greatest combat athletes that ever live. He is a phenomenal athlete. To go in a short period than another sport and not just another sport, kickboxing, which is not a great basis for MMA – it helps, but if that is the only thing you know, not a great basis if you want go it on Against these wrestling boys. He came in and just went through everyone after he was one of the biggest K1 -Kickboxers to ever live.
“I mean several titles at the highest level. In a short period he just becomes a two -way champion, such as the middleweight champion, goes to the light heavyweight, becomes champion and is one of the biggest names, he is always ready to fight. “
“I have the respect of the world for him as a hunter and as a person. We are rivals, but I have the greatest respect for what he has achieved in the sport and he is really one of the goats that it ever does – [just] MMA or in the UFC, in combat sports. I think he probably saw the world ever, the most achieved combat sports sport. “
Dricus Du Plessis says that Alex Pereira Connering Sean Strickland 'will not work'
Although Du Plessis admits that Pereira is one of the most talented competitors who has ever set foot in the Octagon, he does not believe that the harsh competitor can help Strickland in fight.
Pereira went to toe to toe with the polarizing competition himself in 2022, with the native Sao Paulo made his opponent on commissioner with a thunderous left hook.
In the following years they became a few good friends, with the reigning light weight king and outside to help his old enemy add with vessel.
Du Plessis, however, is adamant that Pereira Strickland cannot help at UFC 312.
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