Dricus du Plessis was really excited about the prospect of getting to butt heads against Alex Pereira for a second title, but those plans seem to be off the table. It could have been a massive clash between two of the best fighters today, but Magomed Ankalaev spoiled all those plans. In addition to that, du Plessis recently gave his judgement on Pereira’s status following the unanimous decision fight at UFC 313, and it’s certainly not something to ‘Poatan’s liking.
Alex Pereira had been dubbed to have the touch of death, an incomparable amount of power in his punches. However, Dricus du Plessis appeared to laud Magomed Ankalaev for not falling for the bait ‘Poatan’ set throughout their UFC 313 fight, canceling what the middleweight champion claims to be Pereira’s ‘counter-punching’ tactics. Du Plessis just didn’t see enough engagement from Pereira when he witnessed the fight live.
“The One, The Only’. That’s not going to fight me anymore. Listen [to] what I said in the beginning, if you don’t fight Pereira, he can’t fight. Look at this,” Dricus du Plessis was stated in a UFC 313 watch-along video shared by YouTuber Jackson O’Doherty. “He’s waiting for something. He’s a counterpuncher.”
Dricus du Plessis didn’t just stop there as he slammed Alex Pereira for not giving the fans their money’s worth with his disappointing performance. UFC 313 proved ‘Stillknocks’ there’s indeed nothing the Brazilian star can do to him inside the Octagon, du Plessis further stated, “Some people paid money for this BS. He’s just waiting on that one thing… How are you going to counter me if I don’t punch?”
On the other hand, the South African star made sure to give Magomed Ankalaev his flowers for his string mental game during the clash. His fearless and relentless approach earned him praise from his fellow UFC champion. “You know what I like? Ankalaev is not scared… You throw something, he comes,” du Plessis continued before doubling down on his decision to move on from Alex Pereira, and that too, even if ‘Poatan’ is able to win back his title in the potential rematch. “[Pereira lost] and he wants to go down to middleweight? [Laughs hysterically]… [Alex Pereira’s] aura gone.”
April 8, 2023, Miami, FL, Miami, Florida, United States: MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 8: Alex Pereira reacts after his loss to Israel Adesanya in their middleweight fight during the UFC 287 event at Kaseya Center on April 8, 2023 in Miami, FL, United States. Miami, FL United States – ZUMAp175 20230408_zsa_p175_160 Copyright: xAlejandroxSalazarx
Meanwhile, there’s a sentiment among fans that maybe Alex Pereira was robbed of a win at UFC 313. But is that really true? Well, another UFC champion has come out to paint the proper picture for fans who have that notion. Here’s what he had to say.
UFC champion addresses ‘uneducated’ fans by explaining Alex Pereira’s UFC 313 loss
Magomed Ankalaev failed to register any takedown for the entire five rounds, as fans claimed that Alex Pereira showcased tremendous takedown defense. However, the newly crowned light heavyweight champion a’s team accused ‘Poatan’ of greasing during the fight. “When Magomed pushed him against the fence in our corner, it seemed Pereira was greased with something,” Ankalaev’s coach stated recently. Other the other hand, interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall shared his take on the fight as well and seemed seriously disappointed with how some fans sided with Pereira over Ankalaev.
Doubling down on the fact that the Dagestani star was the better fighter that night, Tom Aspinall stated, “I can’t believe people watch that fight and thought that Pereira won, it was just wild to me how many uneducated fans are out there,” during a recent interview with Jamal Niaz. “I thought it was an amazing fight. Both guys did good and I think that Ankalaev was just a lot better than him on the night, that’s it.”
Well, for those fans who believe Alex Pereira was the real winner, they’ll have their answer as a rematch seems to be the plan going forward. Regardless, let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.
The post Dricus Du Plessis Rubs Salt on Alex Pereira’s Wounds With Scathing ‘Aura’ Remark on UFC 313 Loss to Magomed Ankalaev appeared first on EssentiallySports.