Sean Strickland has expressed skepticism about Alex Pereira’s potential return to the middleweight division after a decisive victory by Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305. Despite Pereira’s warning to Du Plessis, Strickland believes that Pereira’s current status as a light heavyweight champion makes it unlikely for him to move back down to 185 pounds.
Following Pereira’s loss of the middleweight title to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287, he made the decision to move up to the 205-pound division. Since then, Pereira has successfully claimed and defended the light heavyweight title, establishing himself as a dominant force in the division. Strickland recalls seeing Pereira struggling during his last middleweight fight, emphasizing the toll that cutting weight took on him.
Dricus Du Plessis, the current middleweight champion, has expressed a willingness to face Pereira at light heavyweight rather than middleweight. Strickland supports this idea, citing Pereira’s physical condition and the challenges associated with dropping down to 185 pounds after competing in the higher weight class.
As Pereira prepares to defend his light heavyweight title against Khalil Rountree in the main event at UFC 307, the question of a potential matchup with Du Plessis lingers. While Pereira may have hinted at a return to middleweight for a showdown with Du Plessis, Strickland’s advice and observations suggest that Pereira’s best interests lie in remaining in the light heavyweight division.
The decision for Alex Pereira to drop back down to 185 pounds is met with caution and skepticism from Sean Strickland. Considering Pereira’s success and physical condition in the light heavyweight division, it seems unlikely that he will make the move back to middleweight. As the anticipation builds for Pereira’s upcoming title defense, the potential for a future clash with Dricus Du Plessis remains uncertain. Ultimately, Pereira’s career trajectory and weight class decisions will continue to be closely monitored by fans and observers in the MMA community.