After submitting Renato Moicano in the main event of UFC 311, Islam defended his title for the fourth time, a record within the lightweight division. As expected from the kingpin of 155 lbs, the Dagestani has stressed that he can now compete against middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis to seek a new challenge. However, DDP has issued a warning for the lightweight champion before he makes such a move.

During an interview with FOX Sports Australia, the South African fighter revealed that he isn’t scared of going one-on-one against Makhachev. While he does acknowledge the achievements of the lightweight champion, DDP knows his size advantage and is sure that it would be him who wins the fight. He said, “Look, (Islam) trains with 185ers in his gym, but there is only one world champion. So, kudos to him… but it doesn’t really matter because I’ll overpower him in any situation. I know he walks around heavy, but I walk around heavy. He’s a big lightweight, and I’m a big middleweight. There’s a big difference there.”

But for now, his only focus remains UFC 312. On February 9, Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis will have their long-awaited rematch. The middleweight champion makes his second defense as the division’s kingpin as he puts his title on the line against Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 312. The South African was crowned at the beginning of 2023 with a controversial split decision on ‘Tarzan.’.

Following UFC 311, Islam Makhachev solidified his place as the organization’s top pound-for-pound fighter, with Dana White‘s support. However, even a competitor of his caliber has limits to the challenges he can face. So, it seems like Dricus Du Plessis believes that he would be too big of a challenge for Makhachev. But what do the fans think? Let’s find out!

Fans drop brutal verdict on Dricus Du Plessis vs. Islam Makhachev

As soon as Dricus Du Plessis shared the warning for Makhachev, fans were quick to share their thoughts on it. Many fans of the Dagestani fighter were quick to request that Makhachev avoid such a matchup. With a dream run in the UFC right now, fans believe that it would be irresponsible of him to go for a losing battle. So, they made sure that the lightweight champion was aware of their desire to see him continue his winning streak. They wrote, “Islam, please don’t,” “Avoid this Makhachev. Du Plessis one-shots you FR,” and “Why pick an unnecessary fight?”

Taking to social media, fans were quick to claim that what DPP said actually made sense and that there was no way that Makhachev would be able to match the natural build and strength of the middleweight champion. So, taking to their social media, they wrote in favor of the South African fighter, “Look, guys. Islam is my favorite fighter. I think he has a good chance of getting the 170 belt. But 185 seems a little bit too much,” “Love Islam but DDP is too big,” and “No offense but DDP is winning this one.”

However, there was another set of fans, neutral fans, who simply wanted the fight to happen. Whatever the outcome may be, they were sure of the fact that it would be a fight worth watching. As a result, they simply asked the head honcho Dana White to book the fight irrespective of the possible outcome. They wrote, “Book this one already, @danawhite,” “Just sign the contract,” and “Sign it please.” Well, it looks like fans have mixed opinions about this one. But what do you think? Will it be a good idea for Islam Makhachev to go one-on-one against DDP? Let us know in the comments.