UFC Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev expressed his desire to become a double champion a few months ago. Before UFC 304, Makhachev showed interest in moving up to the welterweight division to win a second title. However, after his friend Belal Muhammad won the Welterweight title from Leon Edwards, Makhachev appears to be bypassing that division. Now he has set his sights on the middleweight championship.
Du Plessis criticized Makhachev’s desire to become a double champion
UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis didn’t agree with this idea. Recently, in an interview with Kevin Lole, “Stillknocks” said that moving up to the heavier weight class and capturing the title is not for everyone. Du Plessis, while referring to Conor McGregor, said, “People win a belt and they immediately say, ‘I want to be a double champion,’ but you are not Conor McGregor.. He was the first to do it, and he did it in a spectacular fashion.”
Du Plessis claimed that everyone tries to be like McGregor, but he was the trendsetter and that’s not the case here. Dricus laughed off the possibility, saying that it is okay to dream big, but in this case, Makhachev has pushed his dream too far. The South African fighter also said further that Makhachev should first beat his entire division and then consider moving up.
Du Plessis is set to face Adesanya
“Stilllknocks” mentioned Arman Tsarukyan and said that he will not be an easy challenge for the Dagestani fighter. Meanwhile, Dricus Du Plessis is himself set for a big challenge as he has to face Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 and defend his title for the first time. The rivalry between the two started at UFC 290. Du Plessis said that he wants to be the first “real African champion.” This statement did not go down well with “The Last Stylebender,” who immediately countered Du Plessis and accused him of having a colonial mindset.
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Adesanya also stated that Dricus Du Plessis has disrespected previous African champions by calling himself the first one. Previously, fighters like Kamaru Usman, Francis Ngannou and Adesanya have held the honor of becoming UFC champions. Now the rivalry between Adesanya and Du Plessis is heating up as their clash is getting closer. MMA fans are very excited to see the two face off against each other.
