February 9, 2025 • 3hr 40min

Fight Companion - February 8, 2025

The Joe Rogan Experience

Joe Rogan is joined by Matt Serra, Brendan Schaub and Bryan Callen to watch and commentate on UFC 297, featuring two title fights - Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight championship and Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez for the women's strawweight championship.

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Key Takeaways

Dricus Du Plessis defeated Sean Strickland by unanimous decision to retain the UFC middleweight title in a dominant performance
Du Plessis used an effective strategy of leg kicks, body kicks and pressure to neutralize Strickland's boxing-heavy style
Zhang Weili dominated Tatiana Suarez to retain the women's strawweight title, showcasing superior striking and grappling
The panel discussed various topics including upcoming UFC matchups, fighter careers, and the evolution of MMA techniques
Guests shared stories and insights about training, weight cutting, injuries and the technical aspects of fighting

Introduction

Joe Rogan is joined by Matt Serra, Brendan Schaub and Bryan Callen to watch and commentate on UFC 297, featuring two title fights - Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight championship and Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez for the women's strawweight championship.

Topics Discussed

Early Card Discussion and Fight Analysis (0:00)

The group discusses Jake Matthews' performance and striking abilities
Analysis of Jimmy Crute's fight and his move up to light heavyweight
Discussion of heavyweight prospects and upcoming matchups

Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez Title Fight (1:33:20)

Zhang Weili demonstrated superior striking and grappling control
Suarez struggled to implement her wrestling-heavy gameplan
"She's got that wrestling grit" - Matt Serra on Suarez's toughness despite the loss
Zhang's conditioning and pace proved to be a major factor in the fight

Main Event: Strickland vs Du Plessis (2:26:20)

Du Plessis implemented an effective strategy of leg kicks and pressure
Strickland suffered a broken nose that impacted his performance
Discussion of Strickland's defensive style and inability to adjust
Analysis of Du Plessis' improvement and potential future matchups

Post-Fight Analysis and Future Matchups (3:38:10)

Discussion of potential next opponents for Du Plessis
Analysis of the middleweight division landscape
Conversation about upcoming UFC events and matchups
Reflection on fighter careers and evolution of fighting styles

Conclusion

The episode provided in-depth analysis of UFC 297's main events, with expert commentary from former fighters and MMA personalities. The discussions covered technical aspects of fighting, career trajectories, and the evolving landscape of mixed martial arts. Both title fights showcased the importance of well-rounded skill sets and strategic game planning in modern MMA.