Joe Rogan Rules Out Dricus Du Plessis Ever Beating Khamzat Chimaev in a Rematch

UFC 319’s main event turned out to be an eye-opening experience for Dricus Du Plessis. The former middleweight champion was dominated from start to finish by Khamzat Chimaev, losing his title in one of the most one-sided championship fights in UFC history. The numbers tell the story of Chimaev’s dominance. Over five rounds, he logged an incredible 21 minutes and 40 seconds of control time, scored 12 takedowns, secured three crucifix positions, and threw a staggering 529 total strikes, though only 37 were counted as significant. 

Du Plessis had no answers for the Chechen’s relentless offense, and all three judges scored the fight 50-44 in Chimaev’s favor. And according to Joe Rogan, this matchup will always go the same way, no matter how many times Du Plessis tries.

Joe Rogan Says Dricus Du Plessis May Never Reclaim the Middleweight Title If Khamzat Chimaev Holds On

A week after UFC 319 in Chicago, Du Plessis took to Instagram and promised fans he would come back stronger than ever. Even coach Morne Visser said the team would focus on fixing the gaps in DDP’s game to better prepare for Chimaev’s wrestling. But Rogan isn’t convinced. 

The longtime UFC commentator believes Du Plessis has no path back to the middleweight title unless someone else dethrones Chimaev first. The reason, Rogan explained, is simple: the skill gap between the two, especially on the ground, is far too wide.

During the #2384 segment of The Joe Rogan Experience with UFC Hall of Famer Mark Kerr, Rogan reflected on Chimaev’s dominance at UFC 319. 

He explained, “It’s nuts, because a lot of people thought it was boring because it went to a decision. But you’ve got to kind of appreciate that level of dominance against a world champion. It’s kind of crazy.”

Rogan also gave Du Plessis credit for his run as champion, reminding fans of the names he beat on his way to the top. For the unversed, Du Plessis came to Chicago with two title defenses under his name and wins over the likes of Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, and Sean Strickland twice. 

He said, “Before the fight, Dricus was being looked at as one of the greatest middleweights of all time. Look at what he did to all these guys. He knocks out Robert Whittaker, he beats (Israel) Adesanya, he f**king beats Sean Strickland twice, and it’s like. Oh my God, he might be one of the greatest of all time.”