“Is there no one else?” Dricus Du Plessis shouted out loud as he stepped forward and glared into Alex Pereira’s eyes during his interview with Daniel Cormier after the UFC 312 title fight. Well, because of the language barrier, ‘Poatan’ was unable to comprehend the challenge. But once his translator and coach, Plinio Cruz, broke that barrier, Pereira wasted no time in accepting the challenge. He had one condition though. He wanted the fight to be in the 205-pound division. 

However, this was a matchup that won’t really materialize anytime soon. If you’re wondering about the reason, you’ve come to the right spot. Let’s take a look at three reasons why DDP vs. Pereira isn’t going to happen.

1. Dricus Du Plessis’ next opponent Khamzat Chimaev

During the UFC 312 post-fight press conference, Du Plessis cleared the air around the talks of him fighting the man with the hands of stone. The middleweight champion indeed expressed his desire to share the Octagon with ‘Poatan’. However, he admitted that this wasn’t the bout he’d fight next. DDP said, “I want to make sure that this belt, that his middleweight title, that there is no question that I’m the GOAT of the middleweight division… I’m not rushing that my next fight is Alex Pereira. No – I want Khamzat next.”

Khamzat Chimaev redeemed himself by continuing his undefeated streak upon returning after almost a year-long hiatus ridden with illness. Despite the troubles, the Chechen Wolf managed to submit and injure Robert Whittaker at UFC 308. And that put him in the #1 contender’s spot, getting him close to a shot at the middleweight championship title. 

As far as Alex Pereira’s condition was concerned, ‘Stillknocks’ believed that he could definitely beat him at 205 pounds. This claim was based on the fact that he had already defeated the former 2-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya. Well, Adesanya remains the only man who knocked Pereira out cold and took the MW belt from him. 

On top of that, Dricus Du Plessis has been asking for the fight ever since he saw Chimaev dominate the Octagon against ‘The Reaper’. With the fighting community standing behind this matchup, Dana White wouldn’t really opt for Du Plessis vs. Pereira anytime soon. After all, the light heavyweight champion is already booked to fight another man.

Alex Pereira’s toughest challenge Magomed Ankalaev coming soon

Pereira is set to lock horns with Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on 8 March 2025. The fighting community has been waiting for the light heavyweight champion to defend his belt against Ankalaev for a long while now. According to many fight fans and professionals, Pereira has yet to establish himself against a strong wrestler. And being the #1 light heavyweight contender, Ankalaev was the perfect opponent for the Brazilian champ to fight next. 

The Russian has also called Pereira out on multiple occasions and has started an online war with the Brazilian champion. He revealed that he has been wanting to hurt Pereira, and for that, he has been climbing mountains, chopping wood, and swimming in freezing waters, while ‘Poatan’ was caught dancing around on the internet. No doubt, the title fight between Pereira and Ankalaev would be extremely interesting. But the LHW champ has other plans too.

3. Alex Pereira wants to move to the UFC heavyweight division

Not too long ago, Ariel Helwani invited Pereira to his talk show wherein he revealed his desire to fight Jon Jones. ‘Poatan’ said, “I’m the champ, I want to fight the champ. Let’s make the fight with Jon Jones.” Well, he wasn’t the first to approach for the fight. Talks about the matchup have been going around even before Jones had the chance to knock Stipe Miocic out at UFC 309. The heavyweight champ even declared that he was ready to vacate his belt if he had to in order to fight Pereira.

But why did Jones want to fight ‘Poatan’ and not Tom Aspinall? Pereira seemed to have an answer. He continued, “I think Jon wants to fight me because of the momentum and the risk. Fighting someone like me is a bigger fight than taking on other opponents.” But the UFC head honcho has plans on making Jones fight Aspinall to unite the heavyweight belts. But ‘Bones’ being his own man, might just surrender the belt and fight Pereira. But first, we’re going to watch the battle between ‘Poatan’ and Ankalaev. 

What are your thoughts on the potential matchup between Pereira and Du Plessis? Should White make a move and let it happen? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.