Dricus Du Plessis, one of the rising stars in the UFC middleweight division, has recently made waves with bold statements about two of the biggest names in the sport—Khamzat Chimaev and Alex Pereira. In an exclusive interview, Du Plessis didn’t hold back, blasting Chimaev for his recent comments and firing back at former champion Pereira’s callout ahead of UFC 312.

Du Plessis, who has been on a dominant win streak, is quickly making a name for himself as a contender for the middleweight title. However, he has been vocal about his frustrations with Khamzat Chimaev, who many believe is also on a fast track to a title shot. Du Plessis didn’t mince words when it came to Chimaev, calling out the undefeated fighter for what he perceives as an overinflated ego and lack of respect for the division.

“Chimaev is running his mouth, talking about fighting for a title, but who has he really beaten in the middleweight division?,” Du Plessis said, throwing shade at Chimaev’s recent performances. “He’s been jumping around, fighting in multiple weight classes, and hasn’t truly dominated the way a real contender should. I’ve been here, consistently fighting top guys, and I’m ready for the real challenges. Khamzat can talk all he wants, but it’s me who has put in the work.”

Du Plessis’ words are significant, as he is one of the few middleweight contenders who has been vocal about Chimaev’s rise, believing that the hype surrounding the Swedish-born Chechen is premature. Du Plessis’s focus is on proving his worth through consistent performances, and he’s made it clear that he’s not intimidated by the rise of Chimaev or anyone else in the division.

The drama didn’t stop there. Du Plessis also responded to Alex Pereira’s callout ahead of UFC 312. Pereira, the former middleweight champion who lost his title to Israel Adesanya, has been eyeing a comeback and called out Du Plessis in a recent interview. Pereira, known for his brutal knockout power and striking prowess, made it clear that he’s ready to face Du Plessis in what would be a high-stakes battle for a future title shot.

Du Plessis, however, wasn’t fazed by the callout. In fact, he welcomed the challenge. “Pereira is a great fighter, no doubt, but I’m coming for him. I’ve faced adversity, and I’m built for this,” Du Plessis responded with confidence. “He thinks he can come back and just walk through me? I’ll be the one to make a statement at UFC 312.”

With both Chimaev and Pereira’s names in the spotlight, Du Plessis is positioning himself as a legitimate threat in the middleweight division. He’s ready to take on anyone who stands in his way, and his fiery responses show that he’s not afraid to take on the biggest names in the sport.

As UFC 312 approaches, the middleweight division is heating up, and Du Plessis is making it clear that he’s not just another contender—he’s here to take over. The world will be watching as he continues to call out the top names in the division and prove that he’s ready for a title shot, whether it’s against Chimaev, Pereira, or anyone else in his path. The question now is: who will be the first to face Du Plessis in the octagon, and will he live up to the hype he’s creating for himself? Time will tell.