Rodrigues Calls Out Du Plessis, Cites Technical Flaws

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Gregory Rodrigues wants Dricus Du Plessis next, and he says he already sees the technical holes he needs to beat him.

Rodrigues made the callout after his unanimous decision win over Anthony Hernandez, a result that pushed his winning streak to four fights and snapped Hernandez's momentum in emphatic fashion. With that win banked, the Brazilian middleweight wasted no time naming his target.

Why Rodrigues Wants Du Plessis Next

Rodrigues laid out the matchmaking logic himself, pointing to a middleweight division where the other obvious names are tied up. "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 told Sherdog. With Khamzat Chimaev's next move unclear and Brendan Allen and Joe Pyfer already slotted into their own bookings, Rodrigues sees a clear runway to the former champion.

He isn't just chasing a name for the sake of a big fight, either. Rodrigues believes he has a specific path to victory. "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," Rodrigues said. That's a notable claim to make about a fighter who owns two wins over reigning champion Sean Strickland, but Rodrigues says he's studied the flaws and likes his chances.

Where Du Plessis Stands at 185

Du Plessis is coming off a lopsided decision win over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, yet he still isn't the clear first name in line for a middleweight title shot. That gap between resume and queue position is exactly what Rodrigues is trying to exploit with his callout, positioning himself as a fighter with something to prove rather than waiting for the promotion to sort out the logjam above him.

Betting Angle

Nothing is booked yet, so there's no line to point to, but the matchmaking math favors Rodrigues getting real consideration. He's riding a four-fight streak that includes a statement win over a ranked opponent, and he's doing the promotional legwork by calling out a former champion directly rather than waiting in line. If this fight does get made, expect Du Plessis to open as the favorite given his championship pedigree and durability, but Rodrigues' recent form and his stated read on Du Plessis' technical tendencies give him a real case as a live underdog worth a look once oddsmakers actually post a number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Gregory Rodrigues calling out?

Gregory Rodrigues has called out former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, calling it the most logical next fight for him.

Why did Gregory Rodrigues pick Dricus Du Plessis as his next opponent?

Rodrigues says Khamzat Chimaev's next move is uncertain and that Brendan Allen and Joe Pyfer are already booked, leaving Du Plessis as the most sensible matchup at middleweight.