UFC commentator Joe Rogan holds the belief that Sean Strickland’s skill set is truly exceptional as he gears up for his inaugural middleweight title defense. Scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada, Strickland is set to confront the emerging South African fighter, Dricus du Plessis, in the main event of a pay-per-view event. Du Plessis earned the title opportunity following a knockout victory over Robert Whittaker last July.
Strickland’s last bout was a triumph over Israel Adesanya in September, where he dominated the former champion throughout the 25-minute contest. Despite some speculation suggesting Adesanya’s mental state played a role in the loss, Strickland himself implied that his opponent had mentally crumbled during the fight.
In a recent episode of his podcast, alongside up-and-coming middleweight Joe Pyfer, Joe Rogan offered his perspective on the upcoming Strickland vs. Du Plessis matchup. The discussion also delved into Strickland’s impressive performance against Adesanya.
Contrary to the notion that Adesanya underestimated Strickland, Rogan argued that the former champion merely faced the wrong opponent on the wrong night. He expressed his admiration for Strickland’s capabilities, emphasizing the fighter’s conditioning and ability to withstand intense sparring sessions, which make him akin to a seasoned fighter even during training.
Reflecting on Strickland’s past encounters, particularly the fight against Abus Magomedov, Rogan praised Strickland’s resilience, highlighting how his opponent came out aggressively but eventually succumbed to exhaustion in the first round.
In summary, Joe Rogan commended Sean Strickland’s prowess, attributing his success to exceptional skills, endurance, and rigorous training routines. The commentator dismissed the idea that Adesanya underestimated Strickland, asserting that Strickland’s abilities played a pivotal role in the outcome of their bout.
