Pereira calls out middleweight champion Du Plessis

Alex Pereira says he is prepared to move backmost down to middleweight "one much time" successful an effort to regain nan title he lost.

Brazil's Pereira moved up to light-heavyweight aft conclusion by long-time rival Israel Adesanya successful 2023.

Pereira, 37, quickly go a two-weight champion and will take sides his title successful October.

But Pereira said connected societal media he wants to look middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis.

"I want to spell down 1 much clip to middleweight and spell for nan belt," he said.

"Hey Dricus, bring your will to conflict maine truthful you tin beryllium that you are amended than me."

South African Du Plessis retained his belt by submitting Adesanya successful August astatine UFC 305, while Pereira will take sides his title against Khalil Rountree astatine UFC 307 connected 5 October.

Pereira was a sensation astatine middleweight, upsetting Adesanya successful his first title shot contempt only joining nan UFC a twelvemonth previously.

After 5 fights astatine 185lbs, Pereira moved up to 205lbs because of nan harsh weight trim he had to spell done astatine middleweight.

Pereira is conscionable nan ninth combatant to triumph titles successful 2 weight classes successful nan UFC and has achieved that feat successful record-breaking time.

UFC president Dana White has suggested Du Plessis could get a homecoming successful South Africa successful his adjacent outing.