Daniel Cormier TV - Daniel Cormier REACTS to Dricus Du Plessis BEATING Sean Strickland, Zhang Weili, Pereira CALLOUT

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: Daniel Cormier TV - Daniel Cormier REACTS to Dricus Du Plessis BEATING Sean Strickland, Zhang Weili, Pereira CALLOUT
Release Date: February 9, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Duration: Approximately 10 minutes of content
Transcript Timeframe Covered: [01:44] to [11:19]

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Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the focus centers on the electrifying outcomes of UFC 312, where prominent fighters Dricus Du Plessis and Zhang Weili delivered standout performances. The host delves deep into the night’s events, providing insightful analysis, highlights, and future implications for the fighters involved.

Main Event Analysis: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland

Dominant Performance by Dricus Du Plessis

The commentator opens the discussion by praising Dricus Du Plessis’s impressive victory over Sean Strickland. Highlighting Du Plessis’s consistent performance, he states:

• “Drake is Du Plessis. I mean, for so long, so many people have spoken about this man. All the pundits, all the talking heads have told you why he isn't as good as he has proven to be time and time again.” [02:30]

Du Plessis’s ability to control the fight is emphasized through his strategic fighting style:

• “When you try to attack him, he's so good at changing speed, changing direction and in you from odd angles, that you can't really get a beat on him.” [04:15]

Strategic Takedowns and Activity Levels

The commentator notes Du Plessis’s active presence in the Octagon, which often forces his opponents into a reactive stance:

• “He's so active, even if he's throwing kicks, he's throwing something and making you judge that.” [06:45]

Despite predicting a necessity for more wrestling from Du Plessis, acknowledging his takedown:

• “Even when he said he wasn't going to wrestle, I didn't believe it. He did. He got one takedown. And even the Octagon, he told me afterwards, he didn't plan on getting that takedown.” [07:50]

Future Challenges and Championship Outlook

Looking ahead, the commentator discusses potential matchups and Du Plessis’s standing in the division:

• “He calls out Alex Pereira. I told Pereira after the fight, he wants you, Pereira. Pereira goes, he's just too small. Seriously. Pereira goes, this man is just too small.” [09:10]

He underscores Du Plessis’s ambition and readiness to face top contenders, cementing his status as a formidable champion:

• “Du Plessis is the man in the Octagon. He’s proving over and over again that he is just that. ... So congrats to Du Plessis and his entire team, for what was a dominant performance.” [10:55]

Co-Main Event Spotlight: Zhang Weili vs. Pereira

Zhang Weili’s Resounding Victory

Transitioning to the female division, the commentator lauds Zhang Weili’s commanding win against Pereira, highlighting her resilience and skill:

• “Zhang Weili once again proved why she's the best. She dominated Tatiana Suarez. She went into that fight as a +240 underdog.” [03:20]

Overcoming Challenges and Underdog Status

Despite being an underdog, Weili’s performance shattered expectations:

• “I don't know how you make Zhang Weili that big an underdog based on the fact that you believe that she will not be able to defend takedowns against Tatiana Suarez.” [05:30]

Her ability to reverse positions and maintain dominance throughout the fight is emphasized:

• “Weili reversed the position when she got taken down. ... When Tatiana got the first takedown, the moment she jumped at Guillotine, her fate was sealed.” [08:00]

Legacy and Future Prospects

The commentator compares Weili’s achievements to legendary fighters, solidifying her legacy:

• “She now has six UFC strawweight title wins. She ties Joanna Jędrzejczyk. ... Zhang Weili has already tied that. Now it's a matter of how long she wants to stay at that weight class before she goes up and challenges Valentina Shevchenko.” [09:45]

He underscores the anticipation for her potential move to a higher weight class, suggesting a high-profile matchup:

• “Zhang Weili versus Valentina Shevchenko truly is the most high-level mixed martial arts you can make in female fighting.” [10:30]

Other Notable Fights and Performances

Taliesin Teixeira’s Quick Victory

A brief yet impactful fight saw Taliesin Teixeira securing a one-minute finish against Justin Tafa:

• “One minute finish of Justin Tafa. Boom. Elbow to the face fight done.” [05:10]

Standout Performances

The commentator highlights other fighters who made significant impressions:

• Jake Matthews: “Jake Matthews looked amazing.” [06:00]
• Gabriel Santos: “Gabriel Santos, that kid is good. He's really, really good. Kind of reminds me of a young Charles Oliveira.” [06:15]
• Tom Nolan: “Tom Nolan, an A+ performance tonight.” [06:30]
• Alessandre Pereira: “Alessandre Pereira, big win.” [06:45]
• Ramjoon Cody Steele: “Ramjoon Cody Steele was the best fight of the night.” [07:00]

Emerging Talent and Knockouts

The commentator notes the emergence of new talent and impressive knockouts:

• “Quillin Sokhalin. This guy had a 19-second knockout to start the night. It was an amazing night. It was an amazing week from Sydney.” [08:30]

Insights on the UFC Landscape

Khamzat Chimaev’s Position

Discussion shifts to Khamzat Chimaev’s standing in the division, questioning his dominance against Du Plessis:

• “Khamzat Chimaev being problem number one. I don't. But watching Du Plessis today, I don't know that Chimaev just drives across the man, takes him down. He's so good at what he does.” [07:30]

Unsolved Puzzle: Du Plessis’s Fighting Style

The commentator marvels at Du Plessis’s complex fighting style, rendering him a challenging opponent:

• “Du Plessis throws punches and kicks at the same time and it works. He's a puzzle that has not been solved in the UFC.” [09:20]

Conclusion and Future Segments

Acknowledging Champions and Planning Interviews

The episode wraps up by celebrating the achievements of Du Plessis and Weili, and teasing upcoming interviews:

• “The night belongs to Dricus Du Plessis and Zhang Weili. What performances by the sitting champions.” [10:40]

Upcoming Content

Listeners are informed about future segments, including interviews with coaches and exclusive insights:

• “I'm going to talk to Zhang Weili's coaches. I'm also going to go and try to find Dricus Du Plessis’s coaches for a work with those guys too.” [11:00]

Closing Remarks

The commentator expresses gratitude to the audience and encourages continued support:

• “Guys, thank you so much for the support. Until next time, like subscribe and tell your friends.” [11:10]

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Key Takeaways

• Dricus Du Plessis solidified his position as a top contender with a dominant win over Sean Strickland, showcasing superior strategy and activity.
• Zhang Weili defied underdog expectations to secure a commanding victory against Tatiana Suarez, enhancing her legacy and setting the stage for future high-profile matches.
• Other fighters like Taliesin Teixeira and Gabriel Santos made significant impacts, indicating a promising future for the division.
• The UFC landscape remains dynamic, with Du Plessis posing a substantial challenge to fighters like Khamzat Chimaev, emphasizing the evolving strategies within the sport.

Notable Quotes

• “Du Plessis is the man in the Octagon. ... It's gonna be very difficult to get the belt off him.” [10:55]
• “Zhang Weili once again proved why she's the best. ... I don't know how you make Zhang Weili that big an underdog.” [03:20]
• “Du Plessis throws punches and kicks at the same time and it works. He's a puzzle that has not been solved in the UFC.” [09:20]

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This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers an in-depth analysis of UFC 312, celebrating the triumphs of Du Plessis and Weili while setting the stage for future matchups in the ever-evolving world of mixed martial arts.

Transcript

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[UFC Commentator]

The volume. All right guys, UFC 312 has just wrapped. Look at my head. It is so hot in Sydney, Australia. It's crazy. I know we always say like the heat in the Octagon is going to be crazy tonight. It's hot in the Octagon and it was so hot in Sydney this week. But it was an amazing fight week. The fans in Australia are really amazing. They really do top just about any fans anywhere around the world with their passion for mixed martial arts. The boy Miles got me a fan. Unfortunately, the fan says you'll never walk alone because the guy loves Liverpool. Who loves Liverpool? I mean that's so whack to be such a front runner. But the fans love love mixed martial arts in this weekend. They got to watch greatness, right? We had two champions retain their championship. We'll get to both of them, but we have to start with still Knox Drake is Du Plessis. I mean, for so long, so many people have spoken about this man. All the pundits, all the talking heads have told you why he isn't as good as he has proven to be time and time again. Me being one of those guys and me having an answer for that, me having to talk to Dricus about it, I'm done questioning him. I'm done ever saying that what he does isn't what's done by the best fighter in the world, because he is proving over and over again that he is just that. He goes into this fight with Sean Stritt, a rematch against a guy that fought him, very competitive. The first time that they fought, he not only wins the fight, he wins the fight more impressive in one every single round over Sean Strickland. Sean Strickland and his team recognized and understood that they couldn't have close rounds. But the way Du Classis fights makes you fight him the way that he wants to fight. He makes you stop. He makes you wait. Because when you try to attack him, he's so good at changing speed, changing direction and in you from odd angles, that you can't really get a beat on him. He went out there tonight, and honestly, the only truly competitive round was round one. And I thought that Du Plessis won that with a late explosion that won him the round. Ron Tuohy continues to press, continues to get better. He's up 2 0, and he's up 20 pretty convincingly. Round three, he keeps doing what Dricus does, right? He gets forward, and he's very active. I think that's the one thing that Dricus doesn't give enough credit for. He's so active, even if he's throwing kicks, he's throwing something and making you judge that. I thought for sure he was gonna have to wrestle more tonight. Even when he said he wasn't going to wrestle, I didn't believe it. I thought that in order for him to win this fight, he. He had to wrestle. He did. He got one takedown. And even the Octagon, he told me afterwards, he didn't plan on getting that takedown. Sean Strickland knew that he needed to do more, but he never could get started. Drake is. Duplessi is the man in the Octagon. He calls out Alex Pereira. I told Pereira after the fight, I go, he wants you, Pereira. Pereira goes, he's just too small. Seriously. Pereira goes, this man is just too small. You know? So Alex is huge, though. I mean, he looks massive. Compared to Drekus. And I love that Drekus has these big goals. I just think that he still has work to do at middleweight before he starts thinking about going up. Khamzat Chimaev being problem number one. I don't. But watching Drekkers today, I don't know that Chimaev just drives across the man, takes him down. He's so good at what he does. It feels like the music's super loud tonight right now, opposed to the way it usually seems loud. Right. He's a man. Drake is. Du Plessis is the man and once again proved that this guy. It looks like it's gonna be very difficult to get the belt off of him. I know Chimaev has a massive following. If people like him, he's been dominant. I just don't know that he has ever seen anyone like Du Plessis. Even speaking of Dana in the Octagon, we were talking about the greatness of Du Plessis and how do you train for him? Who can you bring in that does the things that Du Plessis does? Du Plessis throws punches and kicks at the same time and it works. He's a puzzle that has not been solved in the ufc. It's gonna be very difficult to get the belt off him. So congrats to Dreck, his Du Plessis, his entire team, for what was a dominant performance. Co main event, Zhang Weili once again proved why she's the best. I mean, she dominated Tatiana Suarez. She went into that fight as a plus 240 underdog. I don't know how anyone bets against this woman when what she have put on paper in terms of her resume, in terms of the people she's beaten in the way she has beaten him. I don't know how you make Zhang Weili that big in underdog based on the fact that you believe that she will not be able to defend takedowns against Tatiana Suarez. Rose Nami Units took her down a few years ago and held her down. But Rose Nami Units presents a very, very different striking form then Tatiana Suarez presents. Rosamundas also was a champion that had been in five round fights. Tatiana Suarez showed unbelievable toughness. She is as tough as any woman you will ever meet. Walking God's greener. But she got dominated. Weili hurt her on the feet. Weili took her down with an inside trip. Weili reversed the position when she got taken down. Guys, outside of the first two and a half, three minutes of the fight, when Tatiana got the first takedown, the moment she jumped at Guillotine, her faith was sealed. Because the rest of the time it was all Zhang Weili, all the time. She is as good as anyone I've ever seen, especially in the female fighting. She now has six UFC strawweight title wins. She ties Joanne on Jayczek. When Joanna and Jayczek was the champion, nobody ever thought that anyone would build a resume even close to what she did. Zhang Weili has already tied that. Now it's a matter of how long she wants to stay at that weight class before she goes up and challenges Valentina Shevchenko to see if she can only extend her resume and make it so big that we'll never see anyone challenge what Zhang Weili did, not what Yoani and Jiezczyk did. You know, if she does decide to go up to 125, sadly from anon fior, I don't know that the organization can deny that a super fight between Whaley and Valentina will be the only super fight you truly can make in female fighting. Unless Amanda Nunes comes back to fight Kayla Harrison. But Zhang Weili versus Valentina Shevchenko truly is the most high level mixed martial arts you can make in female fighting. And I am waiting to see if at her post fight presser she makes mention of wanting to go up to 125 and challenge the flyweight champion. And if she does, I think the UFC should make it happen. Third fight from the top, Taliesin Teixeira. One minute finish of Justin Tafa. Boom. Elbow to the face fight done. Kapu is mad that they stopped it. I don't have a problem with it. When you fall down like that does not matter. You cannot go into that submissive posture and think that a referee won't stop the fight. Jake Matthews looked amazing. Gabriel Santos, that kid is good. He's really, really good. Kind of reminds me of a young Charles Oliveiro. Tom Nolan, A plus performance tonight. Wong Kong. I mean, how. How do we get to Wong Tong when her name is spelled W A N G C O N G? How are we getting the wonton? I don't understand that. Alessandre Taporia, big win. Ramjoon Cody Steele was the best fight of the night. And I hope to God These guys get $50,000 for fighters tonight. Mikhailov, way better than I gave him credit for in the film. I really was of the belief that he was not very good. He's better than I thought. Mikayla. Mikayla is his name. And hats off to Quillin Sokhalin. This guy had a 19 second knockout to start the night. It was an amazing night. It was an amazing week from city. But the night or the afternoon belongs to Dricus Du Plessis in Zhang Weili. What performances by the sitting champions. Guys, remember, stick around. I'm going to talk to Zhang Weili's coaches. I'm also going to go and try to find Dricus du Plessis coaches for a work with those guys too. And maybe, maybe you guys see the shy girl on this video. Champion John Way Lee. Guys, thank you so much for the support. Until next time, like subscribe and tell your friends. I got a YouTube channel. I appreciate the support and I will never take it for granted. Till next time. Peace.

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