Dricus du Plessis snaps back at Alex Pereira's provocations, asks him to settle "domestic dispute" with Sean Strickland for number one contender slot

UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis didn't take too kindly to light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira's latest callout, making it clear as to what he believes would transpire if they collided.

The South African took to X to respond to Pereira's message regarding his planned return to 185 pounds. Du Plessis wasn't impressed and warned 'Poatan' that whoever faces 'Stillknocks' next will be left be snoring on the Octagon canvas:

"@AlexPereiraUFC you and you boyfriend @SStricklandMMA can have a domestic dispute on who gets slept first"

Du Plessis is alluding to Pereira's previous post, in which the Brazilian claimed to be returning to the weight class to reclaim the belt.

'Poatan' stated that regardless of what happens at UFC 307, he intends to drop down to middleweight to wrest the gold from the South African's hands:

"I'm focused on my next fight and I'm going prepared but you never know what can happen, so regardless of the result I want to go down one more time to the middleweight and go for the belt. Hey Dricus, bring your will to fight me so you can prove that you are better than me, with your public statement it is easy to make this happen, Chama."

Pereira moved up to light heavyweight after losing to Israel Adesanya in their immediate rematch at UFC 287. The Brazilian then beat Jan Blachowicz and Jiri Prochazka to clinch the 205-pound title before defeating the latter again in their rematch at UFC 303 this past July. That followed a first successful defense opposite Jamahal Hill.

Having made quick work of two former champions in his last two outings, and beating five former champions within three years of his promotional debut, the Brazilian has made unprecedented waves in the sport and it seems nothing is out of reach for 'Poatan'.

Du Plessis, meanwhile, beat Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 last year but waited until he was injury-free to cash in on his title shot this past January at UFC 297, where he secured a close decision after a hard-fought battle with Strickland.

Silencing his critics, 'Stillknocks' most recently submitted former champion Israel Adesanya in the fourth round via rear-naked-choke at UFC 305.

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Michael Bisping believes Dricus du Plessis vs. Alex Pereira would be better at 205 pounds

Dricus du Plessis is not someone to run away from a fight, as he has accepted seemingly every callout directed his way. However, his potential duel against Alex Pereira should be fought at 205 pounds, according to former middleweight king Michael Bisping.

'The Count' expressed his desire to see the aforementioned scrap at light heavyweight rather middleweight, as intended by Pereira, during a video on his YouTube channel.

Bisping stated that a draining weight cut for the Brazilian and the fear of losing a belt for the South African might mean the fight takes place at light heavyweight:

"That’s a factor and that’s why I believe Israel knocked him out in round number one. Perfect shot, beautiful timing, executed well, right, but the weight cuts for Alex Pereira to get to 185, they must be horrendous, because the man is a giant at 205."

Bisping added:

"Personally, I would love to see Dricus vs. Alex Pereira, and I’ll tell you what, I think it’s a fight that will get Pereira in a lot of problems. We don’t see too much grappling from Pereira. Look, listen, he’s gonna fight Khalil Rountree Jr. If he’s victorious, and I’m assuming he's gonna be a massive favorite with the bookies, the next guy’s gonna be Magomed Ankalaev. However, for a fun fight, for a champ-champ style fight, for Dricus Du Plessis to step up to 205, to take the UFC down to South Africa for the first time, maybe that’s the fight that they do it."

Check out Michael Bisping's comments below (3:25):