The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Daniel Cormier REACTS to Khamzat Chimaev DOMINATING Dricus Du Plessis, Murphy & Prates CRAZY KOs
Date: August 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode is a post-fight breakdown and immediate reaction by UFC analyst Daniel Cormier to the explosive events of UFC 319. The main theme centers around Khamzat Chimaev’s dominant title win over Dricus Du Plessis, as well as standout performances and knockouts by Lerone Murphy and Carlos Prates. Cormier gives technical and emotional insights into each fight, touches on what these results mean for the involved fighters and the divisions, and awards his coveted “Fighting Spirit” prize.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Khamzat Chimaev Wins the Middleweight Title

(Starts: 03:50)

• Dominant Performance:
  Chimaev decisively beat Du Plessis over 25 minutes (50-44 unanimous), using relentless wrestling and control.

  “He went out there and he dominated Dricus Du Plessis for 25 minutes, won the championship 50-44 across the board. I was very surprised at how easily he was able to take Du Plessis down and control him.” (03:55)

• Du Plessis’s Shortcomings:
  Du Plessis didn't prepare properly for Chimaev’s wrestling.

  “I was a little disappointed on the side of Du Plessis because he knew the challenge. I don't know if they prepared the right way for what challenge was in front of them… He wasn't able to do either of those things tonight and now he's the former champ.” (05:23)

• Chimaev’s Growth and Cardio:
  Cormier notes Chimaev’s improved stamina at middleweight and his strategic use of top control:

  “Chimaev was just too driven. He looked like he was in tremendous shape… If there was a knock that Chimaev had no cardio, that's been proven wrong. Now as Rogan said, he didn’t really use as much energy because he was controlling him the whole time. But all of that takes a ton of energy.” (04:41)

• Stats & Team Insights:

  • 11 of 13 takedowns landed
  • Over 20 minutes of control time; 15 minutes in a crucifix
  • Off-season weight is 220 lbs—a "full blown" middleweight

• Future Middleweight Challenges:
  Other contenders (De Ridder, Hernandez, Bohalio, Imavov) need to focus on wrestling to compete with Chimaev.

  “All these guys should be running to the wrestling room right now...The controls that Chimaev uses, the wrist fighting, the hand fighting, the forward pressure, these are all things that you learn in the wrestling room as a kid and then you apply them to fighting.” (06:41)

2. Lerone Murphy’s Breakout KO Over Aaron Pico

(Starts: 08:59)

• Shocking Knockout:
  Underdog Murphy knocked out Aaron Pico cold, solidifying himself as a serious title threat.

  “Lerone Murphy had that moment that’s going to earn him a championship opportunity… He went out in the biggest moment of his career and delivered better than he had ever delivered before in his career.” (09:30)

• Post-Fight Setup:
  Featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski texted Murphy:

  “The champ texts him, goes, ‘I’ll see you in December, Lerone.’ So we don’t know what’s happening in December for the year-end card, but it sounds like Volkanovski wants to fight against Lerone Murphy.” (09:55)

• Concerns for Pico:

  “He’s been knocked out now multiple times. And when he’s gotten knocked out, he’s gotten knocked out really bad.” (10:19)

3. Carlos Prates Defeats Jeff Neal with a Spinning Elbow

(Starts: 11:04)

• Fight Recap:
  Prates dominated Neal and scored a brutal finish via spinning elbow.

  “Protest hits him with a couple nasty knees, some good right hands, and then hits him with the nastiest spinning elbow. There was a big old gash on the side of Jeff Neal. Blood was just pouring out of his head. It was crazy.” (11:18)

• Prates’ New Approach:

  “Carlos Protest told me on Wednesday, ‘I’m done looking for the knockout. That’s what cost me against Ian Garry. I am so aggressive trying to get the knockout, I can lose rounds. I’m going to take my time.’ And by taking his time, he got exactly what he was looking for anyway—the knockout.” (11:38)

4. Michael ‘Venom’ Page Outclasses Jared Cannonier

(Starts: 12:14)

• Performance:
  MVP looked exceptional, hurting Cannonier several times.

  “Michael Venom Page beat Jared Cannonier. MVP looked as good as we’ve ever seen him look and he looked like the MVP we expected.” (12:14)

• Potential Future Fights:
  Both Prates and MVP called for marquee matchups (including Leon Edwards and one another).

5. Other Noteworthy Results & Mentions

(Starts: 13:43)

• Ellie submits Kai Asakura:
  Asakura now 0-2 in UFC following two submission losses.

• SushaKaya’s Quick UFC Run:

  “Four days, two UFC fights and now asking for another fight on September 12th. I mean this kid is ready to fight and I love it.” (13:54)

• Luis Godinez beats Jessica Andrade

• Alexander Hernandez KOs Chase Hooper

• Drakkar Klose wins over Edson Barboza

• Karine Silva edges out Diani Barbosa (Cormier feels the decision should have gone the other way)

• Joseph Morales wins The Ultimate Fighter impressively

  “Hats off to Joseph Morales winning the Ultimate Fighter over Libby Idris and doing it in an impressive fashion. I’ve never seen Joseph look that good.” (14:24)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Chimaev’s Control:

  “Sean Barmett, the head coach at Michigan, texted me and said that Chimaev had over 20 minutes of control time and he had 15 minutes in a crucifix. It was very impressive by Chimaev.” (05:12)

• On Du Plessis’s Gameplan:

  “You gotta make every single takedown hard. You gotta get back to your feet like Kamaru Usman did. But this dude is amazing, man.” (07:59)

• On Murphy’s KO:

  “Everybody remembers Michael Jordan hitting that shot in Game 6 against the Utah Jazz. We’ll never forget it… Tonight, Lerone Murphy had that moment that’s going to earn him a championship opportunity.” (09:35)

• On Carlos Prates’ Mindset Change:

  “He was much more measured, he was much more patient and he looked amazing. Congrats to Carlos Prates.” (11:46)

• Total Wireless Fighting Spirit Award:

  “My Fighting Spirit Award… goes to Lerone Murphy. This is the biggest part of his career for him to do what he did in that moment. It doesn’t get any better.” (15:58)

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------|:----------:| | Chimaev dominates Du Plessis | 03:50 – 08:59 | | Murphy KOs Pico, Title Shot Hype | 08:59 – 11:03 | | Prates vs. Neal & MVP’s Win | 11:04 – 12:43 | | Quick Results / TUF Recap | 13:43 – 15:50 | | Fighting Spirit Award (to Murphy) | 15:58 |

Summary

Daniel Cormier recaps a dramatic UFC 319 card, headlined by Khamzat Chimaev’s smothering performance to claim the middleweight title, reinforces Chimaev’s unique athletic and technical ceiling, and urges division contenders to evolve. Lerone Murphy’s chilling KO positions him for title contention and earns Cormier’s “Fighting Spirit” award. Carlos Prates and Michael Venom Page both grab significant wins, while The Ultimate Fighter’s Joseph Morales impresses. Cormier’s breakdowns combine technical insight, authentic emotion, and a fighter’s perspective, true to his engaging and accessible post-fight style.