Under the correct conditions, Dricus du Plessis is willing to face Islam Makhachev, the lightweight champion. Makhachev successfully defended his lightweight title for the fourth time at UFC 311, defeating Renato Moicano, a short-notice substitute, in the opening round. Following his victory, there was debate about whether Makhachev would try to advance and become a champ-champ. That is a difficult proposition, though, because Makhachev is buddies and occasionally trains with current welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. "Stillknocks" finds it hard to believe Makhachev's suggestion that he would be willing to move up two weight classes and challenge du Plessis for the middleweight championship. Du Plessis told Main Event, "It's difficult to really think and take it seriously right now." "I didn't make a big deal out of it since I have a huge fight coming up. He is, without a doubt, a fantastic fighter if we ever find ourselves in a circumstance that we are not in at the moment. He performed so brilliantly against Moicano. He once again demonstrated why he is the world's top pound-for-pound fighter. "[But] I don't care how good you are—he obviously knows because he trains with 185ers in his gym." He does not train in opposition to me. It's not the same thing, I assure you. Additionally, the standup is technically sound. He has amazing grappling and wrestling skills. I believe I would simply overwhelm him. Du Plessis might find it difficult to accept the possibility, but Makhachev does not. The world's best pound-for-pound fighter reiterated his recommendation, claiming that he had the means to defeat du Plessis and only has to gain a little muscle. Unfortunately for Makhachev, du Plessis has other things to worry about right now. He will be defending his middleweight title at UFC 312 next Saturday against former champion Sean Strickland. If he succeeds, a matchup with Khamzat Chimaev is imminent. After that, though, du Plessis says he would be willing to give Makhachev a physics lecture if the UFC requests it. "It has a huge impact," du Plessis stated. I'm a huge middleweight, but he's a big lightweight. A huge middleweight and a big lightweight are very different. However, if there is ever a circumstance in which it makes no sense to fight for him or for me, I would be more than pleased to do so. Payday is easy.