WATCH: Joe Rogan on Dricus du Plessis: 'He keeps getting better'

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Subscribers to the Joe Rogan Experience were treated to live Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) reaction on Sunday morning from the Austin-based comedian and podcaster

Rogan was joined in his studio by fellow stand-up comedian Bryan Callen, as well as former Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters Matt Serra and Brendan Schaub.

The four reacted to a live stream of UFC 312 for their Fight Companion show. The Championship took place at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, culminating in the Middleweight title bout between South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis and America’s Sean Strickland.

Du Plessis defended his belt with a dominant performance, defeating Strickland by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46).

The South African also left the American with a broken nose.

“That was an a** whippin’,” Rogan said at the end of the fight. “DDP fought really well. He did a great job of setting up, throwing that low kick…the switching kick to the body.”

“He kept that pace up for the entire five [rounds].”

Watch:

Rogan on Strickland: ‘He got beat up’

Du Plessis first claimed the UFC Middleweight belt when he beat Strickland via a close split decision in Toronto in January 2024.

This was a bout the polarising American kept insisting that he had won.

Strickland rebounded with a defeat of Brazil’s Paulo Costa, while the South African launched a successful defence against Nigeria-born Israel Adesanya in August to set up this weekend’s re-match.

With the win, Du Plessis has cemented his status as MMA’s top 185-pound fighter.

“It was the big right hand that changed everything…that rolled [Strickland’s] head back,” noted Rogan.

“Strickland got hit in this fight more than in any other fight, except for maybe [Alex] Pereira.”

“Such a smart strategy, man. He got beat up.”

Du Plessis now has his sights set on Brazil’s Pereira. Following the Strickland double, he made clear his intention to eventually move up to face Pereira for the light heavyweight title.

However, that challenge will have to wait while he defends his middleweight title against Russian and Emirati fighter Khamzat Chimaev.

“I want to beat [Pereira],” Du Plessis said at the post-fight presser. “I’ve beaten Adesanya, who’s beaten him. I know I can beat him at 205 (pounds), 100 percent. But Khamzat is next.”

Weighing in on the South African’s future bouts, Rogan believes Du Plessis has his work cut out for him.

“Khamzat is the highest level in the sport,” added Rogan, who is known for his insightful colour commentating in UFC. “Pereira too…that’s a nightmare touch game.”

“But Du Plessis is a tough puzzle to figure out. He’s a big f*cker for 185 pounds too.”

“He keeps getting better.”