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Dricus Du Plessis labels Khamzat Chimaev ‘crazy’ as he predicts potential clash against Alex Pereira

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Jamie Theodosi | Last updated Oct 17, 2025 4:37 PM ET

Having shared the Octagon with the current UFC middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis has given his insight into how a fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Alex Pereira would go down.

Earlier this year at UFC 319, Dricus Du Plessis was dethroned of his middleweight title when he finally met Khamzat Chimaev in the Octagon, who once again showed his dominance to become the new champion.

And despite his middleweight title reign having only just begun, ‘Borz’ immediately targeted a light heavyweight super fight against Alex Pereira after the Brazilian reclaimed his title at UFC 320.

Since then, Chimaev has opened up about the potential matchup, claiming that the only thing he would be cautious of against Pereira is his staggering power.

Du Plessis provides expert prediction for potential Chimaev vs Pereira clash

Although the Chechen is clearly extremely hopeful that he is able to move up to light heavyweight to take on the current 205lb champion, ‘Poatan’ seems adamant about securing a super fight against Jon Jones.

And with that, following his reclaiming of the title, he responded to Chimaev, admitting that he isn’t interested in a fight against him as of now, and is only interested in pursuing a fight against ‘Bones’.

However, with Jones having recently retired from the sport, a matchup between Pereira and Chimaev is seemingly more likely to happen.

With talks continuing to stir amongst the UFC fanbase over which fight is bigger, former champion, Du Plessis has had his say on the potential clash between Chimaev and Pereira.

“Khamzat has always had crazy callouts,” Du Plessis began to explain in an interview with Fight Forecast.

“You know, there’s no way he beats Pereira in my opinion. I think Pereira right now is one of the greatest to ever do this sport or any combat sports for that matter, but yeah, he’s a big guy.

“Even now at light heavyweight he looked so big against (Magomed) Ankalaev so. I think that’s all hype, I don’t think there’s any realistic chance that ever happens,” Du Plessis continued.

Du Plessis not the only one questioning Chimaev’s chances against Pereira

Although Chimaev’s skillset could cause a nightmare for Pereira, who has yet to be tested in the grappling department, Du Plessis isn’t the only one doubting ‘Borz’s’ chances against ‘Poatan’.

UFC legends Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen have also doubted Chimaev’s chances against the Brazilian, claiming that Pereira would be too big for him to control like he has controlled previous opponents.

“Size has to matter at some point. It might not matter from 170lbs to 185lbs, but it’s got to matter when you start jumping 20lbs,” Cormier said in the recent episode of Good Guy/Bad Guy.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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