New Delhi: Islam Makhachev is riding high on confidence after recently defending his UFC lightweight title against Renato Moicano. Makhachev scripted history by breaking Khabib Nurmagomedov’s record for most lightweight title defenses in the history of the UF after his win against Moicano at UFC 311 earlier this month.
Following his successful title defence, Makhachev made his intentions clear about becoming UFC’s first-ever three-weight world champion as he threw a challenge to current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis. Makhachev called out the South African expressing his desire for a fight in a division above his current weight category.
Makhachev’s challenge to Du Plessis comes after he recently admitted that he would also like to go up against Justin Gaethje in the ring next as he is yet to fight him and there are not many other contenders left. Makhachev forced Brazil’s Moicano to submission to defend his lightweight title at the UFC 311 event earlier this month.
Dricus Du Plessis reacts to Islam Makhachev’s challenge
Du Plessis, the first South African to win a UFC championship, reacted to Makhachev’s audacious challenge and praised the Dagestani fighter for his recent victory against Moicano. However, he insisted Makhachev is much lighter compared to him and that will make a big difference if the two were to lock horns against each other.
“If we get to a situation where we are not, he’s an incredible fighter make no mistake, he was so incredibly good against Moicano he once again proved why he is pound for pound best in the world,” Du Plessis told Main Event.
“I’m just overpowered that’s what I think. It makes a massive difference, he’s a big lightweight but I’m a big middleweight, there’s a big difference between a big lightweight and a big middleweight,” he added.
👀 Dricus Du Plessis responds to Islam Makhachev’s callout:
“His wrestling and grappling is phenomenal. I will just overpower him. It makes a massive difference. He’s a big Lightweight, but I am a big Middleweight.
But if there’s ever a situation that there’s no fight for me,… pic.twitter.com/MMs4xQL1XM
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) January 28, 2025
Despite insisting that it would make little sense for him to fight Makhachev, who competes in a much lighter weight category, Du Plessis said he is ready to accept the challenge from the current pound to pound no.1 fighter in the UFC. Du Plessis also took a dig at Makhachev by stating that it would be an ‘easy pay day’ for him if the fight was to take place.
“If there was ever a situation where there’s no fight for me, no fight for him that makes sense, I’d be more than happy to do it, easy payday,” said Du Plessis.
UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis reacted to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s challenge and said he is ready for a fight if the duo are left with no other options to fight against in their respective divisions. UFC Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
