Dricus du Plessis in victory in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/ufc
Current middleweight champion (up to 83,9kg.) Dricus Du Plessis He demonstrated that he kept an eye on everything that happened around his kingdom. Aware that Javier Mendez, technical Islam makhachev, did not rule out the pupil's move to two categories above, the South African took no time in sending a message to the Russian athlete and warned him about his physical advantage in a possible confrontation.
“Everyone can dream, right? Dreaming big, but he's dreaming really big. I'm very big. I completely understand him moving up to another division and fighting for another belt because he's gotten to the stage where it makes sense. I will not be the person who says 'no'”, declared Du Plessis in an interview with Kevin Iole.
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The situation was created after Belal Muhammad | becoming welterweight champion (up to 77,1kg) and forcing Islam to extend his plans to move up to the category in search of a second belt. The athletes are friends and do not want to face each other in the Octagon. Despite the situation, Javier suggested that Makhachev test himself at 83kg and assured that the Russian is capable of success.
I. Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
So far, Islam has not commented on the matter, as he is recovering from an injury to the ligaments in his hand. The expectation is that the athlete will only return to combat in 2025, to defend the lightweight title (up to 70,3kg) against Arman Tsarukyan. If Javier's wish comes true, this will be the first time that Makhachev has tested himself in another category.
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