Alex Pereira mocks Dricus Du Plessis’ call-out to him: “This guy is too small”

The UFC middleweight and light heavyweight divisions are heating up with high-profile challenges and championship ambitions. At the center of it all is Dricus Du Plessis, the newly crowned UFC middleweight champion, who recently called out Alex Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion. However, Pereira’s reaction was anything but enthusiastic.

With potential super fights on the horizon and top contenders like Khamzat Chimaev in the mix, the landscape of these weight classes is evolving rapidly. Let’s dive into the details of Du Plessis’ challenge, Pereira’s response, and what could be next for the top UFC fighters.

Dricus Du Plessis Calls Out Alex Pereira After UFC 312 Victory

Dricus Du Plessis cemented his position as the UFC middleweight champion with a hard-fought victory over Sean Strickland at UFC 312. In his post-fight interview, Du Plessis didn’t waste any time in addressing his future ambitions. Rather than focusing solely on defending his belt, the South African champion surprised many by calling out Alex Pereira, one of the most feared strikers in the sport.

“Alex Pereira, let’s do this,” Du Plessis declared inside the Octagon, making it clear that he was eyeing a move up in weight for a blockbuster fight against the light heavyweight king.

Alex Pereira’s Response: “He’s Too Small”

Following Du Plessis’ callout, UFC commentator Daniel Cormier caught up with Alex Pereira backstage to get his thoughts on the challenge. Pereira’s reaction was dismissive, with the Brazilian knockout artist stating bluntly:

“He’s too small. The guy is just too small.”

Cormier, a former two-division champion himself, acknowledged that Pereira is significantly larger in frame and power compared to Du Plessis. He further added:

“Alex is truly massive when compared to Dricus. I admire Dricus’ ambition, but I think he has unfinished business at middleweight before even thinking about moving up. And Khamzat Chimaev is the biggest hurdle in his way.”

Pereira’s reaction suggests that he is not interested in facing Du Plessis anytime soon, preferring to focus on his light heavyweight title defenses or even a potential move to heavyweight in the future.

Is Du Plessis Ready for Light Heavyweight?

Du Plessis’ decision to call out Pereira has been met with mixed reactions. While some fans appreciate his fearless approach and championship mentality, others question whether he is physically ready to compete with someone of Pereira’s size and striking power.

Here’s why moving up to light heavyweight could be a risky move for Du Plessis:

• Size Disadvantage: Du Plessis is a natural middleweight, whereas Pereira has competed at 205 lbs and even heavyweight in kickboxing.
• Power Gap: Pereira is widely regarded as one of the hardest hitters in UFC history, with devastating knockouts over top opponents.
• Defensive Vulnerabilities: Against a high-level striker like Pereira, Du Plessis could struggle with defensive lapses, as seen in some of his recent fights.

Despite these concerns, Du Plessis remains confident in his unorthodox striking, durability, and grappling skills. But before even thinking about Pereira, he may have to deal with another major test—Khamzat Chimaev.

Khamzat Chimaev: The Biggest Threat to Du Plessis?

Before Du Plessis considers moving up, one fighter stands in his way at middleweight—Khamzat Chimaev. The undefeated Chechen-Swedish superstar has been tearing through the UFC rankings, and many believe he is destined to become a champion.

Cormier highlighted the challenge that Chimaev presents to Du Plessis:

“Watching Dricus fight tonight, I’m not sure Chimaev can just rush in and take him down easily. Du Plessis was exceptional. He’s proving that beating him is going to be incredibly difficult. I know Chimaev has a massive fanbase and has dominated his previous fights, but I don’t think he’s faced someone like Du Plessis before.”

Why Chimaev vs. Du Plessis Is the Fight to Make

If the UFC wants to determine the true king of the middleweight division, a fight between Du Plessis and Chimaev is inevitable. Here’s why it makes sense:

1. Unfinished Business at Middleweight: Du Plessis just won the title, and many believe he should defend it first before considering a move up.
2. Chimaev’s Undefeated Streak: Chimaev has never lost in his professional career and has been calling for a title shot for over a year.
3. A Clash of Styles: Du Plessis is known for his unpredictable striking and durability, while Chimaev is an elite wrestler with vicious ground-and-pound. This contrast in skill sets makes for an intriguing matchup.

Can Du Plessis Stop Chimaev’s Wrestling?

A major concern for Du Plessis in a fight against Chimaev would be his ability to defend against elite-level wrestling. While he has shown solid takedown defense, Chimaev’s relentless pressure and grappling expertise are on another level.

Here’s what Du Plessis needs to do to overcome Chimaev’s wrestling threat:

• Improve His Takedown Defense: Chimaev has a habit of shooting for takedowns within seconds of the fight starting. Du Plessis needs to be ready to sprawl, counter, and keep the fight standing.
• Use His Power Striking: If Du Plessis can land clean shots on Chimaev early, he could disrupt the game plan and make it a striking battle.
• Cardio & Endurance: Chimaev is used to overwhelming opponents early. If Du Plessis can weather the early storm, he could capitalize on later rounds when Chimaev slows down.

What’s Next for Alex Pereira?

While Du Plessis and Chimaev battle for middleweight supremacy, Alex Pereira is likely focused on his own division. Having won the light heavyweight title by defeating Jiří Procházka, Pereira’s next opponent could be former champion Jamahal Hill, who is expected to return soon from injury.

Potential Fights for Pereira

1. Jamahal Hill (Light Heavyweight Title Defense): Hill never lost the belt in a fight, so a Pereira vs. Hill matchup makes the most sense for the next title defense.
2. Magomed Ankalaev: The Russian fighter has been knocking on the door for a title shot, and a fight with Pereira could be an intriguing clash of styles.
3. Heavyweight Move? Pereira has previously hinted at moving up to heavyweight in the future. With his power, he could test himself against the UFC’s biggest fighters, such as Ciryl Gane or Tom Aspinall.

Final Thoughts: Will Du Plessis Ever Fight Pereira?

Right now, a fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Alex Pereira seems unlikely—at least in the near future. Pereira doesn’t appear to be interested in fighting a smaller opponent and is more focused on his light heavyweight career.

However, if Du Plessis successfully defends his middleweight title multiple times and proves himself as a dominant champion, he may eventually earn a shot at Pereira. Until then, his most pressing challenge is Khamzat Chimaev, who remains one of the most dangerous threats in the division.

No matter how things play out, one thing is certain: the UFC’s middleweight and light heavyweight divisions have never been more exciting. Whether it’s Du Plessis vs. Chimaev, Pereira vs. Hill, or a potential superfight down the line, fans can expect fireworks in the months ahead.

Who do you think will reign supreme?