Rodrigues calls out Du Plessis after four-fight streak, cites 'technical mistakes' to exploit

Gregory Rodrigues has publicly called out former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, declaring the South African his preferred next opponent following a four-fight winning streak that culminated in a victory over Anthony Hernandez.

The Brazilian made his case on the basis of availability as much as ambition. With Khamzat Chimaev’s future in the UFC uncertain and both Brendan Allen and Joe Pyfer already booked for upcoming bouts, Rodrigues argues the path to Du Plessis is clear.

“That’s the fight that makes the most sense,” Rodrigues told Sherdog. “I don’t know what’s going on with Chimaev and I think Brendan Allen and Pyfer already have fights booked, so DDP seems like the most logical matchup.”

Rodrigues is not simply angling for a high-profile name — he believes he has identified genuine weaknesses in Du Plessis’s game. “Dricus is very strong and tough and he beat the current champion, but he makes a lot of technical mistakes that I can capitalize on,” he added.

Du Plessis, who holds two wins over reigning middleweight champion Sean Strickland, is not currently at the front of the title-contender queue at 185 pounds. In his most recent outing, “Stillknocks” defeated former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman by a lopsided decision, keeping himself active but seemingly outside the immediate title picture.

Rodrigues acknowledged he remains open to other opponents, but the Du Plessis matchup is clearly the one he is pushing for. A four-fight streak against credible opposition gives him a reasonable claim, and the logjam among the division’s other top contenders may yet work in his favour.