Joe Rogan Insists Fighters are ‘Wasting their careers’ by competing outside of the UFC: ‘No One’s Watching’

Joe RoganJoe Rogan hates to see fighters wasting their careers competing anywhere other than the UFC. There’s no denying that…

Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan hates to see fighters wasting their careers competing anywhere other than the UFC.

There’s no denying that Ultimate Fighting Championship is the biggest show in town. Over the last 30 years, the promotion has built itself into the biggest combat sports organization on the planet. Much of that can be credited to the incredibly deep talent pool that has introduced legends like Chuck Liddell, Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, and Conor McGregor.

Attempting to take a piece of the pie for themselves, rival mixed martial arts organizations have popped up, including Bellator MMA and the PFL. And while those promotions have seen their fair share of homegrown stars, Rogan knows that if any of them want to achieve greatness on a financial and professional level, there’s only one place to do it.

“No disrespect to the other organizations, there’s very good fighters in the other organizations, but I often feel like they’re wasting their career,” Rogan said on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience. “Because I see these elite fighters that are fighting in Bellator and PFL and I’m like, ‘Hey guys, no one’s watching.’ I mean, some people are watching, you’re getting a little bit of a fan base, I don’t want to disrespect, but there’s a reality.

“There’s the XFL, there’s the CFL, and then there’s the f*cking NFL. If you’re not in the f*cking NFL, are you really playing football? That’s just how it is” (h/t MMA Fighting).

Joe Rogan wants to see fighters like Johnny eblen jump to the UFC

When it comes to live ticket sales and pay-per-view revenue, nobody is bigger than the UFC. The Professional Fighters League will attempt to change that next year after a series of blockbuster moves that include signing both former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and social media star Jake Paul.

Not to mention the PFL’s acquisition of Bellator, a promotion that despite giving birth to some notable names in the world of MMA, failed to turn a profit after more than 15 years in business.

“If you’re the UFC champ, you’re the f*cking man,” Rogan said. “If you’re the Bellator champ, I respect the sh*t out of those guys. I love them. Guys like Johnny Eblen, same thing. He’s a freaking animal. I really wish that guy would come to the UFC.

“If you’re a UFC champion, the promotion is just unparalleled. There’s nothing like it. I mean everybody knows who you are when you’re the UFC champion.”

Aside from the talent on display, fight fans are often drawn to the incredible production values and the pageantry that the UFC brings to each event. It’s something Rogan believes every aspiring fighter wants and needs to experience in their career.

“There’s this feeling of being in the UFC that everybody who wants to be a fighter dreams of,” Rogan said. “You want to be there when Bruce Buffer is right in front of you going, ‘It’s time!’ You’re like, holy sh*t!”

Fans Condemn Joe Rogan’s Criticism of Leon Edwards Despite Dominating Colby Covington at UFC 296

Leon EdwardsLeon Edwards delivered a dominant performance against Colby Covington at UFC 296. ‘Rocky’ scored a decisive decision over the…

Leon Edwards

Leon Edwards delivered a dominant performance against Colby Covington at UFC 296.

‘Rocky’ scored a decisive decision over the outspoken welterweight contender at the promotion’s final pay-per-view event of the year, solidifying his status as the top dog at 170 and earning some well-deserved revenge after a series of vile comments Covington made in the days leading up to their clash in Sin City.

However, that didn’t stop Joe Rogan from throwing some shade at Edwards’ nearly perfect execution.

“What was interesting is that he made choices tonight that were not the best choices to win the fight, but almost like to prove a point,” Rogan said during the broadcast. “Like, he chose to engage Colby in grappling in moments where he did not have to, where he could have defended and got back up to his feet. I think that would be a better path to victory, where he could have completely dominated the fight, absolutely dominated it” (h/t MMA Mania).

Edwards ran away with the victory, earning a 49-46 scorecard from all three judges, but all Rogan seemed interested in talking about was the brief portion of the bout where Covington gained top control after ‘Rocky’ chose to grapple with the All-American in the final half of the fifth round.

“(Edwards) found himself on the bottom at the end of the fight getting punched by Colby, which really didn’t have to happen,” Rogan continued. “That’s not the way you wanna see a guy who’s as good as Leon Edwards fight. You don’t want to seem him make ego-based decisions when you don’t have to, especially when he’s so superior standing up.”

Fight fans were quick to lambaste Rogan’s comments on YouTube, suggesting that his disrespect toward Edwards’ performance and his lack of focus on anything, but the final minutes of the fight were due to his blatant bias toward Covington.

“Joe was sooo negative because his co-Trumper didn’t win! He only mentioned the last 30 seconds of round 5 rather than the other 24.30 minutes.”

“Rogan’s criticism is kinda weird and he was a wet blanket commentating that fifth round. Leon dominated the match from start to finish and it’s weird to try so hard to find something to criticize.”

“Imagine the only faults you have for a fighter is that he switched and fought fire with fire.”

“Leon does it and “it’s not a good decision.” (Charles) Oliveira did it in each and every one of his defenses and was praised for bringing the fight always as if he was the underdog.”

“Joe def wanted to see Colby win. Hated on Leon as if he lost when he dominated the fight lol he was visually pissed.”

“Joe is being rather critical. Leon dominated in every way. Tried to finish him in the fifth which is what joe and “DC” were telling him to do and he ends up on the bottom. They weren’t this critical towards similar fights like Vettori vs. Izzy or Santos vs. Jones. It just shows how Leon is still disrespected in America media due to him not being a big personality.”

MMA Fans Left Dumbfounded by Rogan’s ‘Hilarious’ Commentary of Edwards vs. Covington

Fight fans on X (formerly Twitter) were also unforgiving of Rogan’s ridiculous commentary during and immediately following the fight.

In all likelihood, Leon Edwards’ next welterweight title defense will be against Belal Muhammad, but many fans are already calling for Shavkat Rakhmonov to get the nod following his impressive win over Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson at UFC 296.

Longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan Analyzes Impending Title Fight between Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill

Joe RoganJoe Rogan offered his take on the impending light heavyweight title tilt between newly minted world champion Alex Pereira…

Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan offered his take on the impending light heavyweight title tilt between newly minted world champion Alex Pereira and former titleholder Jamahal Hill.

Hill successfully claimed the title in January 2023, securing a decisive unanimous decision victory over Glover Teixeira. Unfortunately, ‘Sweet Dreams’ never got the opportunity to defend the gold. Waiting for Jiri Prochazka to return from a shoulder injury, Hill suffered a ruptured Achilles, forcing him to vacate the title.

That paved the way for Pereira to claim his second UFC belt in as many weight classes at the promotion’s 30th-anniversary showcase in Madison Square Garden last month.

Speaking about their inevitable clash with former 205-pound titleholder Daniel Cormier during an episode of his popular podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, the longtime UFC commentator suggested that Jamahal Hill would present Pereira with a very unique challenge inside the Octagon.

“I think Jamahal Hill’s a real challenge for him,” Rogan said. “Jamahal’s a sniper, man. He finds chins, he’s clever, dude. Jamahal’s got some nasty hands, man. He really does have some nasty hands.”

Joe Rogan Says Jamahal Hill Has Never Fought Someone Like Alex Pereira

However, Rogan does question Hill’s strength of schedule, noting that he has never faced an opponent on the level of Alex Pereira.

“You know, I have never seen [Hill] fight anybody of that caliber, yet, but I think he’s capable,” Rogan said. “What he did to Glover was very impressive. Just beat him up. I mean, when you think how Jiri struggled with Glover, and then Jamahal Hill just pieced him up. Oh my God, and it was clever, it was smooth” (h/t MMAKnockout.com).

With Hill still focused on recovering from his ankle injury, no official date has been announced for his clash with Pereira. ‘Sweet Dreams’ hasn’t ruled out a potential return at UFC 300, but he did suggest that summer 2024 was the likeliest scenario.

Joe Rogan set to return at UFC 296 for commentary duty ahead of championship fight doubleheader

Joe Rogan set for commentary duty at UFC 296 this weekend ahead of two title fightsThe commentary for UFC 296 has been confirmed and it is set to feature some familiar faces — including…

Joe Rogan set for commentary duty at UFC 296 this weekend ahead of two title fights

The commentary for UFC 296 has been confirmed and it is set to feature some familiar faces — including veteran color-commentator, Joe Rogan.

In news that was first confirmed by MMA Junkie, it will be Joe Rogan, Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik who will be on commentator duties this weekend. The team have been a part of some of the most well-known moments in the promotion’s history. 

Rogan will only ever feature on PPVs that take place in America, the comedian can afford to be picky with his time after he phenomenal success of his podcast.  While Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier have had their share of critics, it can’t be denied that when on form the team can bring great energy. 

Joe Rogan closes out the UFC schedule for 2023

This weekend will be the final UFC pay-per-view of the year and the promotion is set to cap 2023 with some excellent fights. The card will be headlined by Leon Edwards, who is set to make his second welterweight title defence when he faces former interim champion, Colby Covington. The event is set to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The co-main event will see Alexandre Pantoja make his first flyweight title defence against former opponent, Brandon Royval. The rest of the card will see Shavkat Rakhmonov take on Stephen Thomspon, Paddy Pimblett Vs. Tony Ferguson, and Ian Garry makes the step up to face Vicente Luque. It’s a unique line-up for all their reasons and could make for an exciting night. 

It is not just the main card that packs quality, the early prelims and the preliminary card will feature the likes of Cody Garbrandt, Vs. Brian Kelleher, Josh Emmet Vs.  Brycen Mitchell and Alonzo Menifield Vs. Dustin Jacoby. 

What fight are you most looking froward to at UFC 296? 

Joe Rogan set to return at UFC 296 for commentary duty ahead of championship fight doubleheader

Joe Rogan set for commentary duty at UFC 296 this weekend ahead of two title fightsThe commentary for UFC 296 has been confirmed and it is set to feature some familiar faces — including…

Joe Rogan set for commentary duty at UFC 296 this weekend ahead of two title fights

The commentary for UFC 296 has been confirmed and it is set to feature some familiar faces — including veteran color-commentator, Joe Rogan.

In news that was first confirmed by MMA Junkie, it will be Joe Rogan, Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik who will be on commentator duties this weekend. The team have been a part of some of the most well-known moments in the promotion’s history. 

Rogan will only ever feature on PPVs that take place in America, the comedian can afford to be picky with his time after he phenomenal success of his podcast.  While Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier have had their share of critics, it can’t be denied that when on form the team can bring great energy. 

Joe Rogan closes out the UFC schedule for 2023

This weekend will be the final UFC pay-per-view of the year and the promotion is set to cap 2023 with some excellent fights. The card will be headlined by Leon Edwards, who is set to make his second welterweight title defence when he faces former interim champion, Colby Covington. The event is set to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The co-main event will see Alexandre Pantoja make his first flyweight title defence against former opponent, Brandon Royval. The rest of the card will see Shavkat Rakhmonov take on Stephen Thomspon, Paddy Pimblett Vs. Tony Ferguson, and Ian Garry makes the step up to face Vicente Luque. It’s a unique line-up for all their reasons and could make for an exciting night. 

It is not just the main card that packs quality, the early prelims and the preliminary card will feature the likes of Cody Garbrandt, Vs. Brian Kelleher, Josh Emmet Vs.  Brycen Mitchell and Alonzo Menifield Vs. Dustin Jacoby. 

What fight are you most looking froward to at UFC 296? 

Joe Rogan set to return at UFC 296 for commentary duty ahead of championship fight doubleheader

Joe Rogan set for commentary duty at UFC 296 this weekend ahead of two title fightsThe commentary for UFC 296 has been confirmed and it is set to feature some familiar faces — including…

Joe Rogan set for commentary duty at UFC 296 this weekend ahead of two title fights

The commentary for UFC 296 has been confirmed and it is set to feature some familiar faces — including veteran color-commentator, Joe Rogan.

In news that was first confirmed by MMA Junkie, it will be Joe Rogan, Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik who will be on commentator duties this weekend. The team have been a part of some of the most well-known moments in the promotion’s history. 

Rogan will only ever feature on PPVs that take place in America, the comedian can afford to be picky with his time after he phenomenal success of his podcast.  While Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier have had their share of critics, it can’t be denied that when on form the team can bring great energy. 

Joe Rogan closes out the UFC schedule for 2023

This weekend will be the final UFC pay-per-view of the year and the promotion is set to cap 2023 with some excellent fights. The card will be headlined by Leon Edwards, who is set to make his second welterweight title defence when he faces former interim champion, Colby Covington. The event is set to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The co-main event will see Alexandre Pantoja make his first flyweight title defence against former opponent, Brandon Royval. The rest of the card will see Shavkat Rakhmonov take on Stephen Thomspon, Paddy Pimblett Vs. Tony Ferguson, and Ian Garry makes the step up to face Vicente Luque. It’s a unique line-up for all their reasons and could make for an exciting night. 

It is not just the main card that packs quality, the early prelims and the preliminary card will feature the likes of Cody Garbrandt, Vs. Brian Kelleher, Josh Emmet Vs.  Brycen Mitchell and Alonzo Menifield Vs. Dustin Jacoby. 

What fight are you most looking froward to at UFC 296?