Dricus du Plessis noticed what might have been one of many greatest fights of his profession slip from his grasp final weekend.
In the principle occasion of UFC 313, Magomed Ankalaev defeated Alex Pereira to assert the sunshine heavyweight title and doubtlessly spoil Pereira’s plans to chase champions in different divisions. A kind of champions was du Plessis, who previously welcomed Pereira to drop back down to 185 pounds to face him.
Pereira gained the UFC middleweight title from Israel Adesanya in 2022 earlier than dropping it again to Adesanya in a direct rematch after which transferring as much as mild heavyweight. He has regularly spoken about the potential for making an attempt his hand at heavyweight or going again to middleweight, however du Plessis thinks his loss limits his choices and takes their combat off the desk.
“Thanks, Ankalaev, for taking the most important payday of my life,” du Plessis mentioned on a YouTube vlog. “It’s nothing private. Aura gone.”
Du Plessis’ commentary got here instantly after the conclusion of UFC 313 and he was extremely crucial of Pereira’s efficiency. The South African star has beforehand mentioned that he has the method to not solely foil Pereira’s vaunted hanging, however that he sees himself knocking out Pereira in the event that they ever combat.
Although Ankalaev didn’t end Pereira, he did sufficient to earn a win on the scorecards, and du Plessis thinks Ankalaev utilized the precise technique wanted to defuse “Poatan.”
“Hear, take a look at what I mentioned to start with,” du Plessis mentioned watching the combat reside. “If you happen to don’t combat Pereira, he can’t combat. Have a look at this, he’s ready for one thing. He’s going to counter punch him. So folks pay cash for this b****.”
