Alex Pereira could have his hands full with Khalil Rountree Jr. in the main event of UFC 307, but he was asked about a bevy of other potential opponents. Pereira rated them all on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most formidable potential opponent.
While some fighters like current heavyweight champion Jon Jones ranked as a nine with Pereira, he only rated current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis as a “4.”
The disrespect is real, and so is the potency of the seeds the Brazilian is planting ahead of a potential clash with DDP at 185 or 205 pounds. Here is a look at the video from ESPN MMA:
The disrespect did not go unnoticed. One fan replied, “The absolute disrespect for Dricus is going to get him to fire off a spicy tweet.”
After DDP defeated Israel Adensanya to retain his UFC middleweight title, Pereira talked about returning to middleweight to face him to regain the belt. DDP wasn’t keen on the fight happening at 185 pounds and instead told Pereira he would see him one day at 205 pounds.
That fight is the most likely scenario if the two men ever meet. While a “4” is pretty harsh considering DDP is a legit world champion who has defeated Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, and Adesanya, stylistically, you can see why Pereira may believe he has such a decisive advantage. DDP is a kickboxer at his core, but he has also been able to add wrestling and submissions to his arsenal.
He submitted Adesanya to win their long-awaited matchup. That said, DDP’s striking defense isn’t superb. Opponents have landed 46% of the significant strikes thrown at him in the UFC. While the middleweight champion has proven to have a chin and is as tough as they come, getting hit by Pereira is different.
Pereira was starving himself to get to 185 pounds, and light heavyweight is a much more natural weight cut for him. If DDP moves up and faces Pereira, chances are, he will not be able to absorb the shots from him that he has taken from others.
Pereira’s comfort in his natural weight class could be a factor. DDP would need to fight a wrestle-heavy style to beat Pereira, and that seems like something the latter would be prepared for if they meet. I’ve learned more and more not to doubt DDP’s ability to pull out wins you might not have expected him to earn, but this one against Pereira feels like a very tough ask.
However, DDP’s potential to surprise would make for an intriguing buildup to the event.
