Joe Rogan explains why Ilia Topuria “might be the best” pound-for-pound fighter alive

Joe Rogan believes UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria might be the current era's best pound-for-pound fighter. The color commentator presented his arguments in favor of that suggestion during the latest episode of the Joe Rogan Experience (JRE).

Topuria stunned the MMA community by knocking out Max Holloway at UFC 308 this past weekend. Many believed 'Blessed' would regain the title in the end due to his ability to continue despite absorbing strikes. Topuria's power, however, proved to be too much to handle for the Hawaii native.

Holloway got rocked by a right hook early in the third round. Sensing the opportunity to capitalize, Topuria rushed at him and floored the challenger with another strong left hook. It took him just a few more seconds to end the fight with hammerfists.

On JRE, Rogan lauded the power behind Topuria's strikes, which got the better of even Holloway's granite chin. The UFC commentator also analyzed Topuria's entire fight game and presented a strong argument in favor of calling him the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet:

"Ilia is fast as f**k. He doesn’t have any disadvantages. He doesn’t have any weaknesses, man. That’s the thing. That’s why I say he’s the new high water park. There’s people that are thinking he’s the best pound-for-pound fighter alive. There’s a lot of discussion about it online. It’s a little premature, especially with Jon Jones still out there. Islam Makhachev [is] another one… But it’s fu**ing close, he [Topuria] might be the best."

Check out Joe Rogan's comments below (3:19:10):

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Joe Rogan doubts Dricus du Plessis' chances against Khamzat Chimaev

It's quite apparent that Ilia Topuria impressed Joe Rogan with his superb performance at UFC 308. But the 57-year-old was also blown away by Khamzat Chimaev's performance on the same night.

During the same podcast episode, Rogan talked about Chimaev's high-level wrestling, which proved to be strong enough to displace Robert Whittaker's front teeth en route to submitting him inside the first round. He analyzed what a matchup between current middleweight king Dricus du Plessis and Chimaev would look like.

Despite appreciating the champion's striking and grappling, Rogan opined that the South African might get overwhelmed by 'Borz's' class-apart wrestling skills:

"[Du Plessis] can wrestle, he's got very good jiu-jitsu. He hits hard and he's a big, durable dude. But I don't know if he's going to be able to wrestle with that guy [Chimaev]. I don't know, man. Khamzat's skill is so high level, it makes me wonder..."

Check out Joe Rogan's comments below (3:14:15):