LAS VEGAS – Gregory Rodrigues expects the new wave of talent to pose problems for UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis.
Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) retained his middleweight title by defeating Sean Strickland (29-7 MMA, 16-7 UFC) in this past Saturday’s UFC 312 main event at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.
But with the likes of Khamzat Chimaev, Nassourdine Imavov, and Caio Borralho looming, Rodrigues doesn’t see Du Plessis’ reign as middleweight champion lasting.
“It was good. It was good for DDP,” Rodrigues told reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “He did his job. Before the fight, my thought was he’ll still be the champion, and he did. But I don’t know if he’s going to hold this belt to the end of this year. He’s going to fight Chimaev, right? It’s a good match, but his will is still there, right? He’s the champion, he’s young.
“But I don’t know if he has the quality to continue with the belt. The division has changed, so many good names, and they’re coming up. (Nassourdine) Imavov is right there, Caio Borralho. So many good guys coming up. Me, a couple more days and I’ll be there. The division is starting to get exciting, and I’m excited to live in this perfect moment.”
Rodrigues (16-5 MMA, 7-2 UFC) will look to enter the conversation himself when he takes on former title challenger Jared Cannonier (17-8 MMA, 10-8 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 251 (ESPN+) headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
“I believe that’s the perfect time for this fight,” Rodrigues said. “I respect Jared Cannonier, I respect everything he did. He fought for the belt already, but I know who I am, and I know where I want to go. So he’s going to be one more step in my journey to be the champion of his division.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 251.
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