Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Daniel Cormier TV - BEST OF UFC 312: Sean Strickland + Dricus Du Plessis READY FOR A WAR

Release Date: March 15, 2025

In this episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, Daniel Cormier engages in a candid and in-depth conversation with UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland. The discussion revolves around the upcoming UFC 312 event, Strickland's journey as a champion, his relationship with fellow fighters, and his preparations for his next bout against Dricus Du Plessis.

1. Opening Remarks and Fight Camp Reflections

The episode kicks off with Daniel Cormier checking in with Sean Strickland about his current state of mind and fight camp experience.

Sean Strickland:
"Fight camp was amazing. I'm over the moon. It feels like this fight camp was forever, you know, over Christmas again."
(16:34)

Strickland expresses his satisfaction with his training regimen, highlighting the intensive preparation that spanned over five weeks, including training over the holiday season.

2. Balancing Training and Personal Life

Strickland discusses the challenges of maintaining a balance between rigorous training and personal life, particularly during the holiday season.

Sean Strickland:
"Spending with family. But by far the best camp of my life. I'm feeling incredible."
(17:05)

He emphasizes the importance of mental well-being, sharing how activities like fishing and jet skiing provided a necessary mental break without compromising his training intensity.

3. Reflections on Previous Fights and Fighter Relationships

The conversation shifts to Strickland's past fights and his relationships with other fighters, notably Mike Bisping and Khamzat Chimaev.

Daniel Cormier:
"What happened before you guys used to train together and everything. What happened?"
(06:04)

Sean Strickland:
"Mike's a legend, dude. Like, I remember the first time I trained him, dude. He's a legend."
(03:49)

Strickland reflects on his history with Bisping, expressing respect while also critiquing Bisping's approach and demeanor.

Regarding Khamzat Chimaev, Strickland shares strong negative sentiments, critiquing Chimaev's character and questioning his eligibility to fight in the United States.

Sean Strickland:
"There is no lower human being on this earth than Chimaev. You became best friends with a murderer, and you took G wagons like, you're not a man, dude. You shouldn't be allowed in this country."
(05:39)

4. Upcoming Fight Against Dricus Du Plessis

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Strickland's upcoming fight against Dricus Du Plessis. Strickland delves into his preparation, his opponent's fighting style, and his strategic approach to securing the victory.

Sean Strickland:
"I'm getting my belt back."
(10:54)

Strickland highlights Du Plessis's fighting tactics, acknowledging his toughness but asserting his own superior strategy and readiness to dominate the fight.

Sean Strickland:
"He fights like a little special kid, they would resemble Drus. He just heads down full sin. It's highly effective, you know, but unlike last time, dude, you're not gonna headbutt me and I'm gonna pick you apart for five rounds."
(08:24)

5. Champion Mindset and Personal Growth

Strickland offers introspective insights into his mindset as a champion, discussing the transient nature of titles and personal fulfillment.

Sean Strickland:
"Life is so trivial... you're so much happier when you just understand life is very short."
(09:48)

He underscores the importance of personal happiness over material gains and the fulfillment derived from continuous improvement and performance.

6. Mutual Respect with Daniel Cormier

Despite previous rivalries, Strickland expresses a deep respect for Daniel Cormier, recognizing the challenges they've both faced in the octagon.

Sean Strickland:
"I have the world's respect for Sean Strickland as a fighter... he's a great fighter. He's tough, he's good, and he's made this work for him, and I respect that."
(29:56)

This mutual respect adds a layer of camaraderie to their interaction, highlighting the professional bonds formed through shared experiences in the UFC.

7. Addressing Media and Public Perception

Strickland and Cormier discuss the impact of media portrayals and public perception on fighters' careers and personal lives.

Sean Strickland:
"All the media people. They were mentioning it today after the easy fight. I'm like, how? You look like dumbasses now?"
(27:22)

Strickland criticizes how media can distort events and create misleading narratives, emphasizing his focus remains on his performance rather than public opinions.

8. Final Thoughts and Anticipation for UFC 312

As the episode nears its conclusion, both Strickland and Cormier express excitement and anticipation for the upcoming UFC 312 event, with Strickland eager to reclaim his title and prove his advancements as a fighter.

Sean Strickland:
"That's what I'm saying, right. It's the belt. While it is right in the grand scheme of things, being a champion is very important."
(10:57)

He reiterates his commitment to excellence and his determination to showcase the improvements made over the past year.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sean Strickland:
  "Fight camp was amazing. I'm over the moon."
  (16:34)

• Sean Strickland:
  "There is no lower human being on this earth than Chimaev."
  (05:39)

• Sean Strickland:
  "Life is so trivial... you're so much happier when you just understand life is very short."
  (09:48)

• Sean Strickland:
  "He fights like a little special kid... I'm gonna pick you apart for five rounds."
  (08:24)

• Sean Strickland:
  "I've worked my ass off for it. I've been thinking about this for the last six months."
  (11:13)

Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive look into Sean Strickland's perspectives as he navigates the challenges of being a UFC champion. Through his dialogue with Daniel Cormier, listeners gain insight into Strickland's preparation for UFC 312, his thoughts on fellow fighters, and his personal philosophy on life and competition. Strickland's candidness and introspection offer a nuanced view of what it takes to remain at the pinnacle of the Middleweight division.