UFC commentator Joe Rogan had an interesting reaction to a new middleweight champion being crowned.
Dricus du Plessis made history on Saturday night, securing the title of the first-ever South African champion in UFC history. In an intense showdown against American star Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in Toronto, du Plessis emerged victorious in the first pay-per-view fight of the year. However, the outcome wasn’t a clear-cut win.
The two fighters engaged in a fierce battle, landing serious blows on each other. Du Plessis bore the physical toll, sporting a severely swollen eye, while Strickland had to contend with blood impairing his vision during the final rounds.
In a closely contested match, du Plessis managed to sway two of the judges in his favor, securing a narrow split decision victory with a score of 48-47. This prevented Strickland from defending his middleweight title, adding another layer of significance to du Plessis’ achievement.
Joe Rogan Reacts to UFC 297 Main Event
Before this historic win, Du Plessis entered the fight with an undefeated record in his UFC career, having conquered opponents like Darren Till, Derek Brunson, and Robert Whittaker. On the other hand, Strickland boasted a three-fight winning streak, having triumphed over Nassourdine Imavov, Abusupiyan Magomedov, and even the formidable Israel Adesanya after a prior loss to Jared Cannonier.
While it may not have been a shocker for some to see du Plessis emerge as the victor, UFC commentator and podcaster Joe Rogan expressed his surprise during a live stream on his podcast and YouTube channel, The Joe Rogan Experience.
“Wow! Interesting, very interesting,” Rogan exclaimed when du Plessis was announced as the winner. “I wonder how the people online feel about that.”
Rogan Left Surprised
Rogan’s candid reaction captured the unexpected turn of events in the fight. It’s worth noting that Rogan, as a commentator, maintains objectivity and doesn’t have personal stakes in the outcomes.
In contrast, Canadian rapper Drake found himself on the losing end once again, as his $700,000 (£551,000) bet on Strickland went south. The four-time Grammy winner’s propensity for losing six-figure sums due to his gambling habits continues, further solidifying the notion that he might be UFC’s unofficial curse when it comes to betting.
Looking ahead, du Plessis is now set for potential matchups with formidable fighters like Israel Adesanya and Khamzat Chimaev. Meanwhile, Strickland will regroup, aiming to make a comeback by taking on a top contender in his quest to reclaim his middleweight prominence.
In conclusion, UFC 297 delivered a historic moment with du Plessis’ victory, leaving the fighting community and fans with much to discuss and anticipate in the evolving landscape of mixed martial arts.
What did you make of the decision? Did the judges get it right? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
