Sean Strickland raised eyebrows during UFC 312 fight week in claiming Alex Pereira holds disdain for Dricus du Plessis.
As Sean Strickland looks to reclaim the middleweight belt this weekend at UFC 312, he’ll have a well-recognized name in his corner as he did for his first fight with Dricus du Plessis. But in keeping with Strickland, his high-profile cornerman isn’t solely motivated to assist him reclaim the middleweight throne.
Strickland vs. du Plessis 2 headlines a stacked card this Saturday at UFC 312 in Sydney. After du Plessis defeated Strickland of their first fight at UFC 297, Strickland defeated Paulo Costa at UFC 302 to make a robust case for a rematch.
Strickland may have a former opponent, and considered one of the UFC’s biggest stars, in his corner for UFC 312. UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, who knocked out Strickland earlier of their careers, is in Sydney to advise Strickland for the du Plessis rematch.
Earlier this week, Strickland claimed Pereira ‘hates’ du Plessis, and that it’s a big reason why he’ll be within the corner for UFC 312. Pereira hinted at a middleweight return to face du Plessis after the middleweight titleholder defeated his four-time rival, Israel Adesanya, at UFC 305.
Du Plessis is perplexed by the notion that Pereira loathes him.
Dricus du Plessis showers Alex Pereira with praise after Sean Strickland’s hate claim
In a recent interview with AgFight, du Plessis responded to Strickland’s remarks.
“[Pereira] was also within the corner (of Strickland) within the last fight. And that doesn’t make any difference to me. And the identical applies to this one. I don’t think he hates me,” du Plessis said. “If he does, I don’t know why. Sometimes you see an individual and you simply don’t like them, possibly that’s it (laughs). Perhaps he doesn’t like my face, or my attitude, I don’t know. But I don’t think he hates me. But when he does, I don’t know (why).
“We’ve never even spoken. I asked him for an image, I believe, once. I consider Alex an incredible fighter, considered one of the best that ever walked the planet Earth, considered one of the best combat athletes in history. But when he hates me, I don’t care. I actually have enough friends already.” (h/t AgFight)
As of this writing, Pereira hasn’t responded to Strickland’s claims nor expanded on his stance towards du Plessis.
Dricus du Plessis targets eventual LHW move to challenge for Alex Pereira’s belt
Du Plessis revealed that difficult for Pereira’s light heavyweight title is considered one of his short-term goals, and he could potentially move up by the tip of the 12 months. Nevertheless, a win over Strickland would likely set him up for a clash with the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 312.
Pereira will face Magomed Ankalaev within the UFC 313 essential event next month in Las Vegas for his next light heavyweight title defense. He returns after ending Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 last October.
Depending on the outcomes of their next fights, du Plessis and Pereira could potentially be on a collision course. For now, the character of Pereira’s alleged hatred of du Plessis is uncertain, but he’ll look to guide Strickland to a victory this weekend.
