Dricus Du
Plessis is downplaying a potential clash against Belal
Muhammad.

Muhammad recently teased a move up to middleweight to challenge Du
Plessis for the title. “Remember the Name” also slammed the entire
division —with the exception of Khamzat
Chimaev — citing Du Plessis’ title defence against Sean
Strickland at UFC 312 earlier this month.

Responding to Muhammad’s comments, Du Plessis brought up the lack
of finishes on the welterweight champ’s record. The South African
also noted that Muhammad has yet to defend his title since winning
it against Leon
Edwards at UFC 304 in July 2024. Du Plessis is confident that
Muhammad won’t be granted an immediate title shot at middleweight
even if he vacates the 170-pound title.

“Belal
Muhammad, I can’t even remember the way he fights,” Du Plessis
said on „The Ariel Helwani Show.“ “Has he ever finished
anyone?… I like how he acts like he has a choice to go up to 185
[pounds]. The UFC will never let him. If he wants to do that he
would have to abandon his belt, give up his belt, vacate and go up
to 185. And there’s no way they’re giving him a direct title shot.
There’s no way. The UFC doesn’t even like Belal
Muhammad… He’s definitely better on Twitter than he is in
fights.”

Du Plessis isn’t intrigued by a potential clash against Muhammad as
he considers it “unfair” due to the size difference.

“I mean that would be unfair… “ Du Plessis said. “Have you seen
the size of the man? What is he gonna do? Is he gonna get somebody
to help, is he gonna sit on somebody’s neck? How’s it gonna work?
He’s the smallest – I couldn’t believe that he’s at 170 when I saw
him… I step on his head and it’s over. That’s how that fight
goes.”

Du Plessis won the title against Sean
Strickland at UFC 297 last year and defended it with a
submission victory against Israel
Adesanya at UFC 305. The 31-year-old called out light
heavyweight champ Alex
Pereira after his latest title defense against Strickland.

IMAK ADMIN

By IMAK ADMIN

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