The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Daniel Cormier TV - BEST OF UFC 319: Khamzat Chimaev BEATS Dricus Du Plessis, wins TITLE

Date: August 24, 2025
Host: Chael Sonnen (substituting/hosting segment), with guest fighters Khamzat Chimaev, Aaron Pico, Lerone Murphy, and Israel Adesanya

Episode Overview

This episode is a dynamic roundtable and series of interviews centered around the aftermath and significance of UFC 319, with a focus on Khamzat Chimaev's victory over Dricus du Plessis and his ascent to champion status. Host Chael Sonnen leads discussions about motivation, fighter mentality, stylistic matchups, and the future of multiple divisions, particularly the middleweight and featherweight classes. Other standout segments feature contenders Aaron Pico and Lerone Murphy discussing their respective paths and challenges, and Israel Adesanya sharing his perspective on division changes and the meaning of championship glory.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Khamzat Chimaev: The Champion’s Mentality

Timestamps: [02:25]–[07:08]

• Why Chimaev Is Considered the “Boogeyman”

  • Chael Sonnen reflects on how most fighters avoid Chimaev, likening him to the childhood "boogeyman."
    • "If the boogeyman's in the room with you...as the champion, you walk to the post fight prep conference and say Chimaev's next. Why?" [02:25] - Chael Sonnen

• Motivation Debate: Legacy vs. Money

  • Khamzat Chimaev emphasizes that he is chasing greatness, not money or fame:
    • "Ever since the day I started the sport, I wanted greatness. I never chased money, I never chased fame." [03:26] - Khamzat Chimaev
  • He contrasts his drive with those motivated solely by money:
    • "There's no amount of money that's gonna keep you in that fight. When I'm in there willing to give my life to win, money can't buy that." [04:11] - Khamzat Chimaev

• Chimaev on His Strengths and Mindset

  • Sonnen and Chimaev discuss what makes Chimaev uniquely dangerous: his unbroken confidence, all-around skills, and habitual winning.
  • "This man does not lose in training...that makes him dangerous because in his mind, he only wins." [05:41] - Khamzat Chimaev

• On Handling Losses

  • Chimaev humbly notes that experiencing defeat gives a fighter depth and resilience:
    • "Giving up when you know what it feels like to lose is a lot harder...Khamzat is dangerous because he goes out there and he believes that he can do what he wants to." [06:21] - Khamzat Chimaev

2. Rising Featherweight Contenders: Aaron Pico vs. Lerone Murphy

Timestamps: [07:08]–[15:26]

• Transitioning from Other Organizations

  • Chael discusses the challenges that fighters face when transitioning from organizations like Bellator to UFC, naming previous struggles.
  • Aaron Pico is confident but realistic:
    • "I'm Aaron Pico. Yeah, it's different in my mind...I'm not naive, I'm not stupid...I've trained my ass off." [08:06] - Aaron Pico

• Lerone Murphy: Outlook and Motivation

  • Murphy highlights seizing major opportunities:
    • "I need a big breakthrough...this is a massive card and a massive spot—couldn't pass it up." [11:51] - Lerone Murphy

• Title Contention Stakes

  • Murphy outlines the path to a title shot:
    • "With a win over Pico, I’m next in line." [12:27] - Lerone Murphy

• Discussion of Styles and Tactics

  • Pico focuses on implementing pressure and making the fight "ugly" to sap Murphy’s strengths:
    • "We gotta make the fight ugly. When we take him down, we gotta bust him up with elbows." [10:44] - Aaron Pico
  • Murphy addresses his continual preparation for wrestling-heavy opponents, building on experience from prior matchups.
    • "I've come on leaps and bounds over them fights and got the experience." [15:05] - Lerone Murphy

• Culture and Lingo

  • Lighthearted segment on British slang (“innit”) and local language traditions, bringing a personable and humorous touch to the interview.
    • "We say 'innit.' In Manchester, we say 'innit' as in yeah, right." [13:41] - Lerone Murphy

3. Israel Adesanya: On Chimaev, Division Evolution, and What Really Matters

Timestamps: [19:42]–[25:43]

• Adesanya on Chimaev’s Championship Impact

  • The discussion addresses concerns over champion inactivity and the significance of Chimaev’s ascent.
  • Adesanya expresses his readiness to stay active and defend his title again soon:
    • "Of course. I say if no injury, nothing’s going to happen there as we want to go back in Abu Dhabi. Defend my belt." [21:45] - Israel Adesanya

• Analysis of Dricus du Plessis’ Style

  • Chimaev and Adesanya talk about du Plessis' awkward, powerful style.
    • "He's taken down easy for this guy. Never wrestle, you know? So I'm better wrestler, I'm better striker." [22:52] - Israel Adesanya

• On Frequency and Motivation

  • Sonnen pokes fun about Chimaev's past infrequent appearances; Chimaev and Adesanya discuss the financial realities and what motivates them.

  • Adesanya candidly discusses prioritizing financial security over merely the belt itself:

    • "I have a question for you, bro. You want $10 million or just the belt?" [24:59] - Israel Adesanya

  • Sonnen admits pragmatism, but notes the belt often leads to the money:

    • "But the belt leads to $10 million." [25:04] - Chael Sonnen

  • Chimaev is honest about not feeling an emotional need for the championship itself:

    • "I don't need that belt. So if I get take it, may bring them back to my country and give it someone." [25:17] - Israel Adesanya

• Legacy for the Home Country

  • Both discuss what it means to bring championship recognition back to their home countries.
    • "My people...the first guy who is become a UFC champion from [Chechnya]...it is big for them and I know it’s big, but I like to fight." [25:43] - Israel Adesanya

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Purpose Beyond Money:
  • "My kids one day are going to look at that [the title]. That is worth more than any amount of money. And that's what I fight for when I go out there, to be remembered forever."
    — Khamzat Chimaev, [04:11]
• On Facing Adversity in the UFC:
  • "I've taken losses before. I know what it feels like to lose...all I can do is go out on Saturday night and do my job."
    — Aaron Pico, [08:06]
• On Earning a Title Shot:
  • "Who's more deserving than me? Movsar was, but he pulled out a fight, so I believe I'm there now if I win."
    — Lerone Murphy, [12:47]
• On Inactivity and Rumors:
  • "I don't care about these things that they put me in that position, so it's not my fault. I was making more money than anyone else."
    — Israel Adesanya, [23:43]
• On Values and Priorities:
  • "I have a question for you, bro. You want $10 million or just the belt?"
    — Israel Adesanya, [24:59]
  • "If he works hard, belt is coming, bro. I need to beat the guy just after that and I don't need think about the belt and make some pressure on my head, you know?"
    — Israel Adesanya, [25:17]

Key Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Chimaev on motivation and greatness | [03:26] | | “Boogeyman” myth and match-up analysis | [05:10] | | Aaron Pico discusses Bellator to UFC transition | [08:06] | | Lerone Murphy on stepping up for opportunity | [11:51] | | British slang breakdown “innit” | [13:29] | | Pico on tactical approach to Murphy | [10:44] | | Adesanya on Chimaev’s impact and activity | [21:45] | | Candid talk on belt vs. money | [24:59] | | Importance of becoming the first Chechen UFC champ | [25:43] |

Conclusion

The episode delivers an inside look into the mindset of top-tier MMA athletes following UFC 319, exploring the nuanced and sometimes divergent motivations that drive elite fighters. Through candid conversations, the guests touch on legacy, national pride, financial realities, and overcoming adversity, all wrapped in the real dialects and personalities that animate the sport. Whether examining Khamzat Chimaev’s rise, the hunger of contenders like Aaron Pico and Lerone Murphy, or the evolved outlook of Israel Adesanya, the episode offers an engaging, authentic window into the world of modern MMA.