Joe Rogan Predicts Uncertain Outcome in Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev Fight
Joe Rogan has weighed in on the highly anticipated middleweight title clash between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, offering his take on what could unfold inside the Octagon. Following du Plessis’ recent successful title defense at UFC 312 against Sean Strickland, the stage is now set for what promises to be a thrilling showdown.
Du Plessis secured a dominant victory over Strickland, going the full five rounds and earning unanimous scores of 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46. His performance reaffirmed his position as the top dog in the middleweight division, but du Plessis made it clear who’s next in line: Khamzat Chimaev.
Speaking during the post-fight press conference, du Plessis didn’t hold back, saying: “Khamzat is first. Pereira is such a legend in this sport already that to me, it would be amazing to beat him for my legacy. I want to be the greatest to ever do this, but Khamzat is next, and I’m going to make sure there’s no question I’m the GOAT of the middleweight division.”
With both fighters on a collision course, Joe Rogan shared his thoughts on the potential outcome during a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience.
Joe Rogan Predicts How Khamzat’s Grappling Could Challenge Du Plessis
Rogan admitted that predicting the winner between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev is a difficult task, given their unique skill sets. Chimaev’s explosive grappling and relentless takedowns could pose a major threat to du Plessis’ game plan.
“It’s hard to say. We don’t know what would happen with Khamzat,” Rogan explained on his podcast. “Khamzat just shoots from like 15 feet away and gets a hold of your legs so quick. You’ve got to think that his endurance is probably going to be better at 185 than it was at 170 because of the weight cut. 85 is really where he should have been all along.”
Rogan’s remarks highlight the uncertainty surrounding the fight. While du Plessis has proven his striking and durability in the Octagon, Chimaev’s ability to close the distance and control opponents on the ground could create serious problems.
Du Plessis The Dominant Middleweight
For Dricus du Plessis, this fight isn’t just about another title defense, it’s about building a legacy. He referenced UFC legends Anderson Silva and Israel Adesanya when discussing his goals, emphasizing that facing and defeating elite competition like Khamzat Chimaev is key to being recognized as the middleweight GOAT.
“It’s not about how many times you fight, it’s about how many times you defend the belt and who you’ve done it against,” du Plessis said. “I’m not rushing for my next fight to be Alex Pereira. I want Khamzat next.”
Chimaev, who previously dominated the welterweight division, will now have the chance to prove himself at middleweight. His endurance and size are expected to improve at 185 pounds, potentially making him an even more dangerous opponent. UFC president Dana White has already confirmed that this fight will happen, making fans eager to see how the two rising stars clash.
How do you see the fight going between Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev? Let us know in the comments!
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