Dricus du Plessis noticed what may 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 say the sunshine heavyweight title and probably spoil Pereira’s plans to chase champions in different divisions. A type of champions was du Plessis, who beforehand welcomed Pereira to drop again right down to 185 kilos to face him.
Pereira received the UFC middleweight title from Israel Adesanya in 2022 earlier than dropping it again to Adesanya in a right away rematch after which transferring as much as gentle heavyweight. He has ceaselessly spoken about the potential for attempting his hand at heavyweight or going again to middleweight, however du Plessis thinks his loss limits his choices and takes their battle off the desk.
“Thanks, Ankalaev, for taking the largest 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 important of Pereira’s efficiency. The South African star has beforehand mentioned that he has the formulation to not solely foil Pereira’s vaunted placing, however that he sees himself knocking out Pereira in the event that they ever battle.
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.”
“Pay attention, take a look at what I mentioned to start with,” du Plessis mentioned watching the battle stay. “In case you don’t battle Pereira, he can’t battle. Take a look at this, he’s ready for one thing. He’s going to counter punch him. So folks pay cash for this b****.”
