A prominent UFC star has delivered harsh criticism of Dricus du Plessis following his recent performance at UFC 319, questioning whether the South African champion lived up to expectations on the sport’s biggest stage.
The outspoken critique centers on du Plessis’ grappling display during the event. Ikram Aliskerov recently expressed his disappointment in what they witnessed from the reigning champion.
“In my opinion, it’s shameful for a champion,” he stated in a recent interview when asked about du Plessis’ performance. The criticism specifically targeted the champion’s ground game, suggesting it fell well below the standard expected from someone holding a UFC title.
The harsh assessment continued with pointed remarks about championship-level expectations. “A champion shouldn’t feel so bad in wrestling when everyone should show that he is a champion,” the critic added, emphasizing the responsibility that comes with wearing UFC gold.
Du Plessis, who has established himself as one of the division’s most formidable competitors, found his performance under intense scrutiny following UFC 319. The South African has built his reputation on well-rounded skills and championship-caliber performances, making the criticism particularly notable within MMA circles.
Aliskerov’s criticism appears to stem from specific moments during the event where du Plessis struggled with wrestling exchanges, leading to questions about whether his ground game meets the standards expected from a divisional champion.
du Plessis is currently preparing for his comeback. His coach Morne Visser shared that he had already started contacting wrestling experts across the globe, making calls as early as 4 AM the morning after the match. During a recent interview, he mentioned: “I know who the right people are, and the right people are willing to help us 100% to beat Khamzat.”
