During a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, Joe Rogan joined fellow martial artists John Rallo, Matt Serra, and Din Thomas for an engaging discussion. As the conversation shifted towards the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/ufc/”>UFC 319 main event, Rogan offered unique advice to Dricus Du Plessis, urging him to consider training in a rubber suit to better cope with Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling prowess. Rogan suggested this approach as a way to “bend” the MMA rules without actually breaking them, aiming to give Du Plessis an edge over Chimaev’s dominant grappling style.

I would advise a strong warm-up in a rubber suit, slippery as f*ck. If you don’t wanna cheat, you can bend the rules, cause its not cheating
—Joe Rogan via The Joe Rogan Experience

The panel analyzed Chimaev’s wrestling ability, describing it as challenging but possible to withstand. They referenced his fight against Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 as an example, noting that Robert Whittaker was unable to handle Chimaev’s grappling, whereas Usman demonstrated deep defensive resilience and was able to push into later rounds despite the Chechen fighter’s strength.

Breaking Down Chimaev’s Previous Matches and Their Impact

Rogan recalled Chimaev’s commanding victory over Kevin Holland at UFC 279, highlighting how the bout was largely one-sided. He explained that despite the win, Chimaev slowed after the second round, ultimately winning by decision but showing signs of fatigue. This performance contrasted with his displays of overwhelming power earlier in his career, adding complexity to predictions for his fight with Du Plessis.

Throughout his commentary, Rogan has consistently praised Du Plessis for his unconventional fighting style and remarkable endurance, especially against top-level competition. Even before Du Plessis became the middleweight champion, Rogan admired his ability to disrupt his opponents and “make other fighters look stupid” inside the octagon, emphasizing the South African’s tactical adaptability.

Insights from Matt Serra on Du Plessis’s Mental Strength and Grappling Skills

Matt Serra, who recently hosted Du Plessis on his UFC Unfiltered podcast, commended the middleweight champion’s mental toughness and capacity to recover between fights. Serra also highlighted Du Plessis’s grappling abilities, noting that his nickname “Stillknocks” is well-earned and should not be underestimated by opponents. Rogan added that Du Plessis has consistently worked hard to deliver results in the cage with minimal trouble, reinforcing the fighter’s status as a formidable contender.

The impending clash between Du Plessis and Chimaev intrigues fans and experts alike, as both athletes possess closely matched fighting styles. While Chimaev’s grappling advantage is widely recognized, Du Plessis has demonstrated an impressive capacity to escape precarious situations and maintain the power needed to secure finishes. This dynamic creates uncertainty over the fight’s outcome.

Joe Rogan Questions Du Plessis’s Ability to Neutralize Chimaev’s Wrestling

Despite his support for Du Plessis, Rogan expressed concern about whether the middleweight champion can withstand Chimaev’s relentless wrestling attacks. Highlighting Chimaev’s swift and precise takedown skills, Rogan questioned if Du Plessis could effectively defend against these threats. Chimaev’s record of 14 wins, many of which display dominant grappling, establishes him as one of the highest-level fighters in the sport.

Can Dricus stop that takedown? Khamzat just shoots from like 15 feet away and gets a hold of your legs so quick.
—Joe Rogan via The Joe Rogan Experience

Rogan noted that Du Plessis has faced challenges against strong wrestlers like Robert Whittaker and Derek Brunson in the past, sometimes struggling to prevent takedowns. This history fuels speculation that Chimaev’s ground game could overwhelm Du Plessis during their UFC 319 showdown. Nevertheless, Rogan acknowledged that Du Plessis’s toughness and ability to confuse opponents could be decisive factors in this stylistic battle.

As anticipation builds, fans are awaiting to see how Du Plessis adapts his strategy to handle the wrestling prowess of Chimaev. This contest is shaping up to be a defining moment that could influence rankings and momentum within the middleweight division.