Picture this: a seasoned fighter, fresh off a brutal defeat at the hands of one opponent, boldly declaring that same foe has zero shot against a heavyweight champion from a bigger division. Intriguing, isn't it? But here's where it gets controversial—could personal grudges or past losses be coloring this opinion? Let's dive into the UFC buzz surrounding Dricus Du Plessis and his take on a potential Khamzat Chimaev vs. Alex Pereira showdown.
Dricus Du Plessis, known in the MMA world as 'Borz,' recently shared his unfiltered thoughts after experiencing a one-sided thrashing from Khamzat Chimaev. Despite being on the losing end of that encounter, Du Plessis isn't shy about weighing in on Chimaev's prospects against a bigger, stronger talent. The topic heated up following Alex Pereira's dominant victory over Magomed Ankalaev via a first-round TKO at UFC 320. Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion, wasted no time in stirring the pot by throwing his name into the mix for a matchup with Chimaev via a social media callout. While a Chimaev versus Pereira clash seems highly improbable at this stage, Du Plessis believes that even the formidable Chechen-born wrestler might find himself outmatched by Pereira's sheer physical presence if they ever stepped into the octagon.
For those new to the sport, let's break this down a bit. MMA fighters like Chimaev often rely on wrestling skills and ground control to dominate opponents, but size can play a huge role—especially when facing someone as powerful as Pereira, who combines striking prowess with a build that towers over many in his division. Du Plessis, drawing from his own experience, calls out Chimaev's hype and insists it's unrealistic. 'He's always had crazy callouts. Khamzat, there's no way he beats Pereira,' Du Plessis told Fight Forecast, as reported by MMAjunkie.com. 'I think Pereira right now is one of the greatest to ever do it in this sport or in any combat sport. He's a big guy. Even now at light heavyweight, he looked so big against Ankalaev, it was crazy. That's all hype. I don't think there's any realistic chance that ever happens.'
And this is the part most people miss: Pereira, riding high on his Ankalaev win, has already set his sights on even bigger challenges, like a potential showdown with Jon Jones at the UFC's White House card in 2026. That event promises to be a spectacle, blending high-stakes fights with a historic venue. On the flip side, Chimaev has his own path forward at 185 pounds, with a promising contender in Nassourdine Imavov, who recently topped Caio Borralho at UFC Paris back in September. This showcases how fighters often prioritize realistic matchups within their weight class to build momentum.
But let's stir the pot a little—could Du Plessis's skepticism stem from his own bitter loss to Chimaev, making him biased? Is size truly the deciding factor in MMA, or do skill, heart, and adaptability trump everything? For instance, we've seen underdogs defy odds before, like when a smaller fighter surprises a giant with superior technique. What do you think: Is Du Plessis onto something, or is this just sour grapes? Could Chimaev's wrestling style give him an edge against Pereira's striking, or would the Brazilian's power prove insurmountable? Share your opinions in the comments—do you agree with Du Plessis, or are you rooting for an upset? Let's discuss!
