Here’s a bold statement: Khamzat Chimaev has no chance against Alex Pereira, and Dricus du Plessis is here to tell you why. But here’s where it gets controversial—despite being dominated by Chimaev in their 25-minute octagon clash just two months ago, du Plessis insists the middleweight champ should stay in his lane and avoid stepping up to face Pereira. Why? Because, in his words, ‘There’s no way’ Chimaev emerges victorious.
Let’s break it down. Du Plessis lost the middleweight title to Chimaev at UFC 319 in a lopsided unanimous decision. Now, Chimaev is eyeing a move up to 205 pounds to challenge Pereira for the light heavyweight crown—a move sparked by Pereira’s jaw-dropping 80-second knockout of Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320. And this is the part most people miss—Pereira isn’t just a light heavyweight; he’s a fighter with heavyweight aspirations, already setting his sights on a potential clash with Jon Jones. That size and versatility? It’s a game-changer.
In a recent interview with Fight Forecast, du Plessis didn’t hold back. ‘Khamzat has always had crazy callouts,’ he said, ‘but Pereira is on another level.’ He doubled down, calling Pereira one of the greatest combat athletes ever, pointing to his dominant physique and skill set. ‘Even at light heavyweight, Pereira looked massive against Ankalaev,’ du Plessis noted. ‘Chimaev moving up? That’s just hype. There’s no realistic chance he wins.’
Here’s the kicker: Pereira’s ability to seamlessly transition between weight classes—and his recent destruction of Ankalaev—makes him a nightmare matchup for anyone, Chimaev included. Du Plessis believes Pereira’s size, power, and technical prowess would overwhelm the middleweight champ. But what do you think? Is du Plessis underestimating Chimaev’s adaptability, or is Pereira simply too much for anyone to handle? Let’s spark a debate—comment below and tell us where you stand!
