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Gregory Rodrigues, set to face Brad Tavares at UFC Vegas 86, has voiced his skepticism about Dricus du Plessis holding the UFC middleweight title for long. Speaking on MMA Fighting's Trocação Franca podcast, Rodrigues suggested that the true best middleweight fighter might emerge from the clash between PFL champion Impa Kasanganay and undefeated Bellator titleholder Johnny Eblen on Feb. 24 in Saudi Arabia.
While acknowledging du Plessis's accomplishments, Rodrigues expressed his belief that the current UFC champion falls short of being among the elite middleweights. He praised the skills of Kasanganay and Eblen, claiming that they surpass du Plessis and have the potential to become the best in the world in their weight class.
“I respect Dricus, but I don’t see him holding that belt for a long time,” Rodrigues said. “And looking at [Kasanganay and Eblen], I know it’s a different promotion.
I’ve always said that the UFC is different, it’s a whole other atmosphere, you become a different fighter and many things affect you when you’re in there, and that’s why I say I respect Dricus for being UFC champion. He’s walked his path, but I don’t see him as one of the best middleweights. He’s far from it.”
“There are guys way better than him,” he continued. “If you compare him to those guys, Impa [and Eblen], they are way better. If you compare him to other middleweight champions, [Kasanganay and Eblen] can be the best middleweight in the world.”
Rodrigues shared a personal connection with Kasanganay, highlighting their friendship since joining the Kill Cliff FC team in Florida. He lauded Kasanganay's growth in the sport, particularly after a challenging period in the UFC, where he won the 2023 PFL season with five victories within eight months. In contrast, du Plessis secured his title by defeating Derek Brunson and Robert Whittaker in 2023 before claiming victory over Sean Strickland.
Expressing confidence in Kasanganay's abilities, Rodrigues described him as aggressive, strong, and possessing unwavering cardio. He praised Eblen's grappling skills and versatility, emphasizing their collective effort in training. Rodrigues believes Kasanganay is at the peak of his career and predicts another triumph for him in their upcoming fight.