On the way to UFC 319, Dricus Du Plessis had already built a strong middleweight title run.
The defending champion wanted to secure his third title defense, which means that he perhaps rose the biggest rankings of all the time at 185 pounds.
After a one -sided loss, Du Plessis is advised to move divisions now that Khamzat Chimaev is the undefeated title holder.
This victory also saw Chimaev raise the pound-for-pound ranks, putting it in the mix as one of the top five hunters on the Roster.
Although the middleweight is currently in a great place, it is also the home of different legends of sport in the past, although it is a common opinion that there is only one real goat of the division.
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Reinier de Ridder reveals why he ranks Israel Adesanya above Anderson Silva in the ranking of middleweight goats
In an appearance on the Shannon Sharpe podcast, Daniel Cormier claimed that Jon Jones and Anderson Silva would be excluded from getting on his MMA Mount Rushmore.
Although it is difficult to argue with his personal reasoning for this because of the drug -related issues that hang over their career, many people look beyond the largest middleweight of all time.
Even with a big champion like Israel Adesanya who is also in force, for many people, there is not even a debate that someone other than Silva is at the top of the list.
'The Spider' has not only the second place for most consecutive UFC title defenses (10), his records are endless, from the longest winning series in UFC history (16) to most Finishes in Title Fights (9).
Anderson Silva answers a question during the UFC 234 Pre-Fight Press Conference. Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
In a recent appearance on the poundcast of Pound 4 pounds, UFC Middle Weight Competter Reinier De Ridier revealed that he believes that Adesanya is the best to ever do it in his weight class.
He specifically pointed to the Adesanya rematch with Alex Pereira at UFC 287, where he bounced back from losing his title to knockout 'Patan' in an incredible way.
“What Adesanya did in that Pereira fight is something you can't even write off – – book about, man. The guy is, he is the best. He is the best, let's really be.”
When De Ridder was asked to talk about Adesanya about Silva, he doubled his comments, in which the Dutchman clearly held what 'The Last Stylebender' did in high respect on UFC 287.
“For me, yes.”
Reinier de Ridder sends the rest of the middleweight division a message
In addition to Khamzat Chimaev, Reinier de Ridder could be for the title of the middleweight if he wins his next matchup with Anthony Hernandez.
The other major collision that takes place before his fight with 'Fluffy' contains two other competitions who are in the mix, although De Ridder does not believe that one of them deserves a title shot, even when he wins.
“I think [Nassourdine] Imavov also deserves very much, “De Ridder said on the podcast of 4 pounds.” I think Caio [Borralho] Is not there, he did not even fought this year … 'fluffy' is also close by, and he will also earn the shot soon. “
At the end of the podcast, De Ridder was asked if he had a message to the middleweight division, which he asked them to be patient.
“Wait a few months. Go aside for this one. Give me the title shot and then I will give you all a chance. Wait a little, take the time and then you can all go after it. You can all shoot me afterwards.”