Dricus Du Plessis not rushing Alex Pereira fight, wants Khamzat Chimaev next

Dricus Du Plessis wants a champion vs. champion super fight against Alex Pereira. However, he first has some things to take care of.

Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) has been clear about wanting to move up to light heavyweight and challenge “Poatan” for his title, but he wants to hold off on that fight for now.

Although he successfully defended his middleweight belt against Sean Strickland on Saturday in the main event of UFC 312, which some think would clear the way for a light heavyweight move, Du Plessis wants to make sure there are no doubts among the fanbase on who is the best in the world before going up.

“I have the world of respect for Alex Pereira. I think he’s the world’s pound-for-pound best,” Du Plessis said at the UFC 312 post-fight press conference. “I have the most respect for what he’s done in such a short period of time in the UFC, to come from another sport and what he’s done there.

“So yes, I want to share the octagon with that man. I want to beat that guy. I’ve beaten Adesanya, who’s beaten him. I know I can beat him at 205 (pounds), 100 percent. But Khamzat is next. Khamzat is next.”

Khamzat Chimaev remains undefeated in his MMA career, and many see him as the uncrowned champion at 185 pounds. That why Du Plessis believes fighting Pereira would only make sense after defeating Chimaev.

“I want to make sure that this belt, that his middleweight title, that there is no question that I’m the GOAT of the middleweight division,” Du Plessis said. “I know that you have Anderson Silva, and in my mind, he’s the GOAT of this division, and you have Adesanya, who’s done incredible things.

“But it’s not about how many times you just defend, it’s about who you fight or how you defend it and in what period of time and who you’ve fought and making sure that there is no question that I am the best middleweight – and then going up. I’m not rushing that my next fight is Alex Pereira. No – I want Khamzat next.”