Daniel Cormier Warns Islam Makhachev About Dricus Du Plessis Challenge
Islam Makhachev is eyeing a historic move up two weight classes to become a dual-division UFC champion, but Daniel Cormier has a strong warning for him—Dricus Du Plessis is no easy fight.
Now, we all know Makhachev is an absolute force at lightweight. His dominance in the 155-pound division is unquestionable, and he’s proven time and time again that his grappling, striking, and overall fight IQ are elite. But moving up to middleweight? That’s a whole different ball game, and Cormier believes Makhachev might not fully realize how tough that challenge will be.
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Du Plessis is a beast at 185 pounds. He’s not just some contender—he’s the reigning middleweight champion, and his track record speaks for itself. In his last three fights, he’s beaten some of the best: Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, and Israel Adesanya. And let’s not forget, he didn’t just beat Adesanya—he submitted him. That’s something we’ve never seen before.
Cormier pointed out that Du Plessis might not have the polished, technical look of some champions, but what he does have is undeniable power, relentless pressure, and a never-give-up mentality. That makes him extremely dangerous. Cormier also emphasized the sheer size difference. Du Plessis walks around at about 220 pounds when he’s not cutting weight. Makhachev, even at his heaviest, might reach 185. That’s a massive gap, and anyone who understands MMA knows that weight and power matter—especially at the elite level.
Now, let’s be real—Makhachev is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the UFC, and if anyone can make this move, it’s him. But as Cormier said, jumping up two weight classes is a whole different challenge. It’s not just about skill—it’s about size, strength, and adapting to a completely new division.
Meanwhile, Du Plessis is set to defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 312. That’s another war waiting to happen, and depending on how that fight goes, it could set up an even bigger showdown down the road. But for now, Cormier’s message is clear—if Makhachev wants to make this move, he better be ready for the fight of his life.
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