Joe Rogan was very impressed by Dricus Du Plessis' UFC 305 victory over Israel Adesanya.
Du Plessis and Adesanya met in the Saturday pay-per-view's main event, with the UFC middleweight title on the line. It was a competitive fight, but the reigning champ Du Plessis ultimately defended his belt with a fourth-round rear-naked choke victory.
Rogan, a long-time UFC commentator, wasn't on duty for the card, but watched the fights on his YouTube channel alongside comedians Tony Hinchcliffe and Brian Simpson and former fighter Brendan Schaub.
He had nothing but praise for Du Plessis once the fight was over.
"That’s a definitive victory," Rogan said of the South African champion's performance. "He finished Izzy with a rear-naked choke. Nobody’s finished Izzy like that in a fight ever in the UFC. No one’s submitted him like that. That’s crazy. That’s a crazy victory. You’ve got to give it up to that dude.
"I give it up to the guy, the guy’s a [expletive] animal," he added. "He's legit."
Du Plessis, who won the middleweight belt with a decision win over Sean Strickland, can seemingly do it all. He now has 11 submission victories on his record, and nine victories by knockout or TKO. He has also proven he is both resilient and durable in the Octagon.
Rogan is clearly impressed by what the South African champion brings to the table.
"Very awkward, no quit, big power, super durable," he said. "He takes a great shot and has amazing heart.
"You can’t that guy out," he added. "Anything can happen. He’s legit."
Du Plessis will defend his title in a rematch with Sean Strickland next, according to pre-fight comments from UFC CEO Dana White.
Rogan, however, expressed interest in seeing the South African climb up to light heavyweight to fight champion Alex Pereira in a bid for a second title.
"[Du Plessis] can definitely go to 205," he said. "Wouldn’t you love to see him try? He can take a shot, for sure, but can he take a shot from [Pereira]? And can he take a shot from [Pereira] at 205? That guy at 205 puts everybody night-night."
Rogan also had some praise for Adesanya, who has now lost two straight, having also been beaten by Strickland last year.
"Izzy took a lot of time off," he said. "I think he looked real good. Maybe he needed more time to prepare. Maybe Dricus is just that tough."
