Joe Rogan may be set to call the action at UFC Freedom 250, but the longtime commentator still has major doubts about the promotion’s ambitious White House event.
During a recent episode of his podcast, Rogan questioned whether hosting championship fights outdoors on the South Lawn is the right move, especially with unpredictable weather conditions expected in Washington, D.C., in mid-June.
“I don’t like the idea of fighting outside at all,” Rogan said. “The White House thing is odd.”
One of his biggest concerns is the potential heat. The renowned podcaster noted that temperatures around the same date last year reportedly climbed close to 100 degrees, raising concerns about how fighters will perform under extreme conditions.
“That’s hot as f–k,” Rogan said while discussing the outdoor setup.
Rogan also pointed to another issue that could impact the event once the giant lighting structures are switched on.
“And then the lights… bugs,” he said. “What are you gonna do? How are you gonna stop the bugs?”
According to Rogan, world title fights should take place inside a fully controlled arena rather than in an open-air environment where heat, humidity, wind, or insects could potentially affect the outcome.
“I just don’t think you should compete in a world championship fight in a non-controlled environment,” Rogan explained. “It should be inside an air-conditioned arena.”
Despite his criticism, Rogan is still expected to work the historic card on June 14, which will feature a lightweight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, along with an interim heavyweight title clash between Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira.
Joe Rogan says he was never surprised that Sean Strickland could upset Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328, pointing to Strickland’s unquantifiable durability and heart as the traits that always kept him dangerous.
Rogan discussed the fight on his podcast with Tom Segura, explaining why he gave Strickland a genuine chance despite the massive odds against him.
“I thought it could happen that way. Ari was arguing with me. He’s like, ‘you always say that when someone doesn’t have a chance, you always hype it up.’ Like, I think Strickland can win this fight because Strickland is insanely durable. He’s scary because he doesn’t go away. He’s not going to get tired. He doesn’t go away. He’s tough as s—. He was abused when he was young, so he’s angry. He is dangerous and he’s super skillful, very hard to hit. And he fought in one with a blown out shoulder. He f—ed his shoulder up like the week of the fight. Like did something bad. He f—ed it up and he doesn’t even know what it was, but he couldn’t use it right.”
Strickland dethroned Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328 in Newark to claim the middleweight title for the second time. He had previously been submitted by Chimaev and outpointed by Dricus Du Plessis twice during his reign.
The cageside commentary team at UFC 328 was already raising questions about Khamzat Chimaev’s weight cut during the post-fight broadcast, with Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier suggesting that an aborted plan to move to light heavyweight may have significantly complicated his preparation for the Strickland title defense.
Chimaev appeared visibly uncomfortable at Friday’s official weigh-ins before coming in at the 185-pound limit, and his conditioning deteriorated after a dominant opening round against Strickland, as he largely abandoned his wrestling and struggled to maintain the same intensity across five rounds. Rogan connected those dots during the broadcast.
“The fact that he did try to bulk up plus thinking that he was going to fight Jiri Prochazka for 205. Good question, because it could have been a factor.”
Cormier questioned whether the middleweight division is even the right home for Chimaev going forward.
“Does Khamzat want to fight at 185? They said he already has his eyes on 205. I don’t know.”
The theory carries weight given Chimaev’s history with weight management. He infamously missed the 170-pound limit by 7.5 pounds ahead of UFC 279 in September 2022, an incident that forced a reshuffling of the entire card. In this instance, the suggestion is that Chimaev had been building his frame in anticipation of competing at 205 pounds, possibly for a fight with Prochazka, before the Strickland title defense was booked and he was required to shed significant mass in a compressed timeframe.
Dana White confirmed at the post-fight press conference that Chimaev approached him to say he wants to move to light heavyweight. Chimaev posted on X, with “see you soon again” and then “let me know when you are ready,” suggesting a rematch at middleweight has not been fully ruled out.
Joe Rogan has taken on one of MMA’s most enduring debates and arrived at a conclusion that may surprise fans expecting a single definitive answer: in the UFC heavyweight division, there is no true greatest of all time.
Rogan made the comments during a conversation with rapper Action Bronson on his podcast, drawing on years of experience as a UFC color commentator to explain why the heavyweight division’s best fighters exist in a category where any one of them could have beaten the others on the right night.
“I don’t think there’s a real GOAT in heavyweight, because there’s times where one guy would have beaten all the other guys,” Rogan said.
That framing did not stop him from naming the fighters he believes belong in the conversation, and the list included some names that often go underappreciated in the broader discussion.
Cain Velasquez was the first name Rogan reached for, and the praise was emphatic.
“I love Cain. He’s in there, he’s in the GOAT category. Prime Cain against anyone ever, who knows? Prime Cain was an unstoppable tornado of punches and takedowns. No fatigue. It’s not coming. You think he’s going to get tired, he’ll never get tired.”
Rogan made the case for Stipe Miocic on the strength of a specific achievement no other heavyweight can claim.
“You’ve got to put Stipe in there because he defended the heavyweight title more than anybody. He beat Ngannou when Ngannou was in his prime, and got rocked a bunch of times and came back. You’ve got to give it to him. He’s always going to be in the GOAT category.”
Fedor Emelianenko, who never competed inside the UFC but is widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight in MMA history by hardcore fans, received his acknowledgment as well. “Fedor, of course. The real connoisseur, the real hardcore MMA heads, they’re like ‘Fedor is the GOAT.’”
“I always say everyone forgets about Fabricio Werdum,” he said. “Fabricio Werdum tapped Cain Velasquez, Minotauro Nogueira, and Fedor. He tapped Fedor when Fedor was Fedor. When you look at Fabricio Werdum in his prime, he’s in that range. He beat Cain Velasquez, he beat Mark Hunt with a flying knee to win the title. Bro, he beat the best of the best. He beat them all, and he tapped three of the all time greats.”
Joe Rogan has rejected Jiri Prochazka’s explanation for his UFC 327 knockout loss to Carlos Ulberg, arguing that while he understands the former champion’s perspective, the excuse does not hold up.
Prochazka lost the vacant light heavyweight title to Ulberg at UFC 327 in Miami after being knocked out by a left hook from his injured opponent. Ulberg had suffered a torn ACL during the fight but still managed to land the finishing blow. Prochazka initially attributed the loss to showing mercy, but later clarified that he believed the referee was about to stop the fight due to Ulberg’s knee injury.
On his podcast, Rogan addressed both sides of the situation and ultimately reached the same conclusion as other analysts who have weighed in.
“You’ve got to look at it two ways, one you’ve got to look at it from Jiri’s perspective, he had it there, the fight was over, he was hurt,” Rogan said. “But you look at it from Carlos’ perspective. Carlos Ulberg was hurt, he can’t move his leg, they’re probably gonna stop it in between rounds. Then boom, he clips him with a left hook.”
He was direct about where the responsibility lies.
“He clearly did get upset, I really do think that he got upset. It doesn’t matter, Carlos got him, he f—ed up, it’s part of fighting, you have to be ruthless.”
Rogan also acknowledged the emotional complexity of the result without letting it change his verdict.
“Yeah, I felt bad for Jiri but I felt great for Carlos at the same time. It’s like, I get it, it’s a hard pill to swallow, I get it, you did back off but he found a way to win in the most spectacular way possible. I understand his perspective that he did f— up and he could’ve attacked and been smarter but you can’t have that excuse.”
Ulberg is currently recovering from knee surgery in Las Vegas and is not expected to return to competition until 2027.
Joe Rogan believes Nate Diaz is probably in line for one of the most lucrative purses of his career in his next outing.
After nearly four years away from MMA, Diaz is gearing up for his return, where he’s slated to face fellow UFC welterweight veteran Mike Perry on the undercard of Netflix’s inaugural live MMA event.
The card is scheduled for May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and will be headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.
The full fight card for Saturday May 16th is set! Live globally on Netflix from Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, CA🌎
🇺🇸 Rousey vs 🇺🇸 Carano 🇺🇸 Diaz vs 🇺🇸 Perry 🇨🇲 Ngannou vs 🇧🇷 Lins 🇫🇷 Parnasse vs 🇺🇸 Cross 🇧🇷 Dos Santos vs 🇨🇺 Despaigne 🇬🇧 Mokaev vs 🇧🇷 Moraes 🇺🇸 Larkin vs 🇯🇲 Jackson… pic.twitter.com/CD413eNwTn
— MVP – Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) March 24, 2026
The 40-year-old Californian had been heavily linked to an Octagon return at the landmark UFC Freedom 250 event, scheduled for June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House, a plan Dana White had also confirmed.
However, the UFC CEO later revealed at the UFC London press conference that Diaz was presented with an offer from Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions that he “couldn’t refuse,” ultimately opting for that opportunity.
Rogan appears to have some insight into “The Stockton Slugger’s” deal and expects it to be a massive one.
During a JRE Fight Companion episode for UFC London, the veteran broadcaster weighed in on Nate Diaz’s reported deal to face Perry, suggesting that, from what he knows, the former UFC star is likely set for an eight-figure payday, potentially exceeding $10 million.
“I heard it was more [than $10million],” Rogan said. “That’s wild. But I tell you what, I think he could have made that same money fighting Conor [McGregor]… If Nate gets through this fight and they set that fight up – it’s that or [Michael] Chandler.”
Diaz was last in action in July 2024, when he faced former rival Jorge Masvidal in a boxing rematch, securing a majority decision victory to bounce back from his loss to Paul in August 2023.
The former UFC title challenger’s last MMA appearance came in September 2022 at UFC 279, where he secured a fourth-round submission victory over Tony Ferguson. Diaz currently holds a professional record of 21-13, including a 16-11 run in the UFC.
Joe Rogan outlined why Netflix represents a fundamentally different kind of competitive threat to the UFC than anything the promotion has faced before.
During a recent episode of the JRE MMA Show, the longtime UFC commentator hosted Dustin Poirier, and the conversation turned to Netflix’s growing push into live sports. They discussed the platform’s expansion into combat sports, highlighted by major boxing events, and its anticipated move into MMA through a partnership with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, slated for May 16.
Rogan emphasized that this is not just another promotion trying to compete on the fringes, but a global platform with the financial muscle to potentially reshape the sport’s entire economic landscape. He also pointed to boxing as the model Netflix could replicate: fans follow fighters, not promoters.
“It’s all about the name of the fighters. Just like boxing — nobody cares if it’s Golden Boy or Bob Arum. What they care about is who’s fighting whom. If Netflix can do the boxing thing with big-name stars, they could be a major player, and that will elevate everybody’s pay scale.”
The Contract Expiration Window
Joe Rogan’s most pointed observation was not about the upcoming Netflix MMA card itself, which is expected to feature some of the sport’s most recognizable names, such as Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, Francis Ngannou, and Nate Diaz.
Instead, the renowned podcaster’s focus was on what could follow if the event proves successful. He highlighted the real threat to the UFC’s dominance as the timing of expiring fighter contracts aligning with a well-funded competitor actively looking to sign top talent.
“If she’s saying this and Netflix listens, and some shrewd businessman goes, ‘A lot of people’s contracts are coming up — when these people’s contracts come up, let’s get into negotiations,’ all of a sudden some people start drifting over.”
He identified UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev as a potential domino in that scenario, suggesting that a move from a star of his stature could spark a broader shift among elite contenders.
“If you get an Islam Makhachev who starts leaving and goes to fight on Netflix, and they can talk four or five top major contenders into going, look, it’s a big ask. But if that happens…”
A Safety Net That Didn’t Exist Before
Meanwhile, Dustin Poirier offered a fighter’s perspective on what a more competitive landscape would mean in practical terms. For most of his career, being cut from the UFC did not just mean losing a job, it often meant the possible end of a fighter’s career altogether.
“Ten years ago, they cut you. There’s only one place to make money — they cut you. You’d have to get a job, maybe fight part-time. Now you can pivot and still have a career.”
“The Diamond” added that he holds no ill will toward the UFC and sees only positives in the current multi-organization landscape.
“I love the UFC. I spent most of my professional career there. But I love seeing these other organizations come up and people making money. It lifts everything. It creates more opportunities for fighters. It’s only a good thing.”
Rogan floated an even wilder card at the end of the conversation: YouTube.
“Hey guys, we’re YouTube. We’re even bigger than Netflix because YouTube is everywhere.”
Dustin Poirier recently revealed that the UFC never explained how fighter pay would change following the promotion’s move to Paramount+ under its landmark $7.7 billion deal.
Under its new streaming agreement, the MMA promotion is set to generate roughly $1.1 billion annually, more than doubling its previous earnings under its media deal with ESPN. Traditionally, UFC fighters have competed under show-and-win contracts, receiving a guaranteed purse to appear and an additional bonus for a victory. On top of that, champions and top-tier stars have historically benefited from a share of pay-per-view revenue.
However, with PPV largely phased out in the United States under the new Paramount+ deal, that lucrative revenue stream is disappearing. As a result, some fighters stand to lose a significant portion of their income. According to “The Diamond”, the UFC has yet to clearly outline how the new pay structure will be adjusted to account for these changes.
During a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show, Dustin Poirier weighed in on the UFC’s new deal with Paramount+, revealing that despite being one of the promotion’s biggest pay-per-view draws, he has been left without clarity on the current fighter pay structure.
The former interim lightweight champion also noted that he has repeatedly pushed UFC executives for answers, but has yet to receive any meaningful response.
“I’ve been asking every show — I ask everybody. I want to know, because my last few years in the UFC, I was… Nobody’s telling me. They’re keeping me in the dark. What the f*ck is that? Keeping me in the dark, man. I was a pay-per-view partner for multiple fights with the UFC.”
Poirier’s concerns extend beyond just his own pay. He questioned whether the UFC, no longer reliant on selling individual PPVs, will remain as committed to consistently putting together the biggest possible matchups.
“How much is the UFC going to put the biggest fights together? Because they don’t need to sell pay-per-views. They’re guaranteed money,” he said.
PPV Points Were The Entire Promise
For years, the UFC’s PPV revenue share served as the primary incentive for fighters to rise through the ranks while accepting relatively modest base pay.
Dustin Poirier confirmed that this structure was often presented during contract negotiations as a motivating reward, positioned as the ultimate payoff at the end of a long path toward a title opportunity.
Earlier this year, former UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor made a similar argument, declaring his UFC contract essentially void because it was structured around PPV sales that no longer exist.
The broader question of how the UFC’s Paramount windfall flows back to fighters remains unanswered. As MMA News analyzed when the deal was announced, fans likely benefit from increased access while fighters risk losing the PPV upside they had counted on.
Poirier retired in July 2025 following a unanimous decision loss to Max Holloway at UFC 318, but still has fights remaining on his UFC contract. For a fighter who headlined multiple pay-per-view events and built his legacy in the UFC over a decade-plus career, not knowing how pay is structured on the back end of that run is a jarring reality.
Joe Rogan has a theory about why Power Slap exists — and it starts with Dana White’s love of gambling.
During a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience featuring actor and musician Luke Grimes, Rogan floated the idea that the slap fighting league operates as a side revenue stream for the UFC boss, fueled by his well-known appetite for high-stakes gambling.
“That’s my theory about Slap Fight,” Rogan said. “Why they’re doing Slap Fight. I think it’s like Dana’s gambling money. I think it’s like he needs some source of revenue outside of the UFC so he doesn’t lose his UFC money.”
Rogan reinforced the point by recalling a conversation with White about his lifestyle. “Because that dude gambles,” he said. “I asked him once, ‘Oh, you like living here?’ He goes, ‘I love the action.’”
Both Rogan and Grimes also acknowledged that Power Slap is simply hard to watch. “It’s tough to watch, man. I don’t watch it,” Rogan said. “You just [see] people getting brain damage over and over again.”
Rogan also took issue with the sport’s branding, noting that calling the competitions “fights” felt like a stretch. “They call it fights, too. Like, okay. It’s kind of insulting to an actual fight,” he said.
White launched Power Slap in 2023 through a partnership with the TBS network. The league has drawn criticism from combat sports figures and medical professionals over concerns about competitor safety.
Joe Rogan has fiercely criticized a former podcast guest who attempted to connect him with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the revelation of his name appearing in recently released Justice Department files. The popular podcaster addressed the situation during a recent episode featuring actress Cheryl Hines, explaining he was only mentioned in the documents because Epstein wanted to meet him—and he declined.
According to emails released by the DOJ, physicist Lawrence Krauss—who previously appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience—communicated with Epstein in September 2017 about facilitating an introduction.
Epstein had reportedly watched Krauss’s appearance on Rogan’s show and found the host “funny,” prompting him to ask Krauss to set up a meeting. When Krauss approached Rogan about the potential dinner, Rogan responded with disbelief: “I was like, ‘b*tch, are you high?’”.
Rogan Never Considered Meeting Epstein
“I’m in the files for not going,” Rogan explained on his podcast. “It’s not even a possibility that I would have went, especially after I Googled him”. After Rogan declined, Krauss reported back to Epstein that the podcaster was “more timid than I would have thought,” according to the released documents.
The UFC commentator’s name surfaced as part of the massive DOJ document release regarding Epstein, the disgraced financier who was convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution and faced numerous allegations of sex trafficking before his death in 2019. Rogan has been vocal about demanding transparency regarding the Epstein investigation and has previously criticized governmental handling of the case.
UFC 321 is set to electrify the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE tonight (Saturday, October 25), with a stacked card of fights.
UFC’s 11th pay-per-view of 2025 features a thrilling championship doubleheader. In the main event, heavyweight king Tom Aspinall defends his undisputed title for the first time against former interim champion Ciryl Gane.
Meanwhile, in the co-main event, top strawweight contenders Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern collide for the vacant 115-pound UFC title. The UFC 321 main card also features a pivotal bantamweight showdown as former title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov goes head-to-head with Mario Bautista.
UFC 321 viewers won’t catch the familiar voice of veteran commentator Joe Rogan, who, as always, does not travel for international events and will be absent from the broadcast in Abu Dhabi.
Image: UFC/YouTube
Stepping into the booth, former MMA fighter turned analyst Laura Sanko makes her second PPV appearance, providing expert color commentary alongside the dynamic duo of play-by-play announcer Jon Anik and UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier.
As usual, legendary Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer returns, electrifying the crowd with his signature energy and iconic flair as he hypes up every fighter before each matchup.
Behind the scenes at UFC 321, commentator John Gooden will bring fans closer to the action, conducting pre- and post-fight interviews with fighters and delivering live updates throughout the night.
UFC veterans Anthony Smith, Chael Sonnen, and Paul Felder will complete the broadcast team, offering expert analysis from the desk during the event and on the post-fight show, hosted by Brendan Fitzgerald.
UFC 320 is set to light up the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada tonight (Saturday, October 4), promising an action-packed night of bouts.
UFC’s 10th pay-per-view of 2025 is headlined by a championship doubleheader. In the main event, light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev puts his belt on the line in a eagerly awaited rematch with former champ Alex Pereira.
Meanwhile, in the co-main, reigning bantamweight king Merab Dvalishvili looks to secure his third title defense of the year against perennial contender Cory Sandhagen. Additionally, the main card of UFC 320 will also feature a potential barnburner, as former 205-pound champion Jiri Prochazka takes on former title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr.
The UFC 320 commentary team will feature the return of play-by-play announcer Jon Anik, coming off his recent broadcast of the Terence Crawford vs. Canelo Alvarez boxing showdown. He’ll team up with his regular color commentator duo, UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier and veteran analyst Joe Rogan.
As always, the legendary Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer will be back, bringing his signature energy and unmistakable flair as he introduces each fighter ahead of every matchup.
UFC correspondent Megan Olivi will be on hand at UFC 320 to conduct backstage pre- and post-fight interviews with the fighters, and will team up with Karyn Bryant while providing live updates from the arena throughout the night.
Meanwhile, Din Thomas is part of the broadcast as a coach, offering expert analysis throughout the event. UFC veterans Anthony Smith, Chael Sonnen, and Dominick Cruz will round out the team, serving as desk analysts during the broadcast and on the post-fight show.
Joe Rogan has a contender in mind he believes could pose a serious challenge to Khamzat Chimaev’s title reign.
On Saturday night at Chicago’s United Center, Chimaev extended his undefeated streak with a commanding performance, claiming the UFC middleweight title by defeating Dricus Du Plessis via unanimous decision in the UFC 319 main event.
From the opening bell, “Borz” took control, swiftly bringing Du Plessis to the mat and keeping him there throughout the majority of the bout. That relentless pressure set the tone for the fight, as Chimaev dominated “Stillknocks” across all five rounds, converting 12 of 17 takedown attempts and leaving his opponent virtually powerless to launch any offense.
While Chimaev controlled the bout from start to finish, he seldom threatened Du Plessis with a fight-ending finish. His ground strikes, though not overly damaging, kept Du Plessis from mounting any meaningful offense. Still, it hardly mattered, as Chimaev’s total domination and superior grappling were enough to convince all three judges, who scored the bout 50-44 in favor of the undefeated Russian.
Khamzat Chimaev is arguably one of the most dominant fighters in modern UFC, but Rogan believes there’s someone in the 185-pound division who could challenge his supremacy.
Image: @UFCEurope/X
Joe Rogan Suggests Reinier de Ridder Could Test Khamzat Chimaev
Following the UFC 319 main event, Joe Rogan, alongside fellow commentators Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik, analyzed Khamzat Chimaev’s dominant performance and his looming reign over the division. Rogan highlighted rising contender Reinier de Ridder as a complete fighter who could potentially pose a serious challenge to “Borz”.
“Reinier de Ridder in particular, given his ability to grapple on the ground and also his ability to land shots standing,” Rogan said. “His toughness, his experience. He throws those combinations with that long lead-in knee. He’s interesting.”
“RDR” is coming off a split-decision victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC Abu Dhabi last month. The former two-division ONE Fighting champion remains undefeated in the UFC with a 4-0 record, including impressive finishes over Kevin Holland and Bo Nickal.
Meanwhile, Chimaev has stretched his perfect record to 15-0, including a 9-0 mark in the UFC, with 12 of those victories coming by stoppage.
Joe Rogan is skeptical about Khamzat Chimaev’s endurance.
Chimaev is locked in to headline UFC 319 this Saturday at the United Center in Chicago, where he will challenge reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis for the title.
CHICAGO, TODAY'S THE DAY 🚨#UFC319 is FINALLY here!!
Although “Borz” remains undefeated in his professional career, he has only gone the distance twice in the UFC. In both bouts, Chimaev faced significant challenges, and as the fights progressed into the later rounds, he appeared to fade, raising questions about the durability of his cardio.
Joe Rogan Questions Whether Khamzat Chimaev Can Last Against Dricus Du Plessis
During a recent episode of his JRE MMA Show, Joe Rogan shared his insights on the highly anticipated clash between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. The veteran commentator also discussed the undefeated Russian’s preparation for UFC 319, discussing whether “Borz” has made any gains in endurance while training with renowned conditioning coach Sam Calavitta.
“What’s going to be interesting is if it gets into deep water, because I know he started training with Calvita—for his conditioning,” Rogan said. “He went to Sam Calvita who trained TJ Dillashaw, works with Aaron Pico, Arman Tsarukyan’s doing it with him, too. And that guy is a legend, man… He’s using real science to do it. This is the first time he’s ever been through a camp like this where he’s coming in fresh, where he’s not overtrained.”
Rogan also questioned how Khamzat Chimaev’s cardio would hold up in championship rounds, warning that Du Plessis could become a serious threat late in the fight.
“That’s the question—is can he sprint for five rounds? ‘Cause we know DDP can. Him and Sean Strickland, they were ready to have heart attacks at the end of that fight. Getting his nose busted like that and still staying and fighting with staph. He had staph. He had staph through the second fight. That’s why he was listless. He was on antibiotics and everything. He was all messed up.”
“Borz” enters UFC 319 riding a first-round submission win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in October of last year. Chimaev currently holds a perfect 14-0 professional record, with 12 victories coming by stoppage.
Joe Rogan hopes UFC’s latest deal won’t sever ties with its longtime partner.
The UFC’s exclusive five-year rights agreement with ESPN is set to conclude at the close of 2025. The promotion has already locked in its next landmark deal with a seven-year, $7.7 billion U.S. broadcasting partnership with Paramount Skydance Corporation.
PARAMOUNT AND TKO ANNOUNCE HISTORIC UFC MEDIA RIGHTS AGREEMENT💥All UFC numbered events and Fight Nights will stream live on Paramount+, with select marquee fights simulcast on CBS, beginning in 2026. pic.twitter.com/54z8DWlCk1
During its partnership with the UFC, ESPN showcased the promotion’s full slate of events across both its television network and the ESPN+ streaming platform, while holding exclusive rights to distribute pay-per-views.
The sports media powerhouse also delivered extensive UFC coverage and featured several former fighters as analysts and commentators. However, with the UFC now shifting to a new broadcast home, questions remain about how ESPN’s role in covering the sport will evolve moving forward.
Image: ESPN.com
Joe Rogan Wants UFC To Keep ESPN Association Despite Paramount+ Switch In 2026
During a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, the veteran UFC commentator weighed in on the promotion’s new broadcasting deal with Paramount+. While Joe Rogan voiced his enthusiasm for the partnership set to kick off next year, he also admitted he hopes the UFC won’t sever its relationship with ESPN, which he sees as a crucial bridge to casual sports fans.
The 58-year-old acclaimed podcaster emphasized that ESPN remains a vital gateway for introducing new audiences to the world of MMA.
“I’m kind of bummed out, and I hope they don’t lose the relationship that they had with ESPN with all their MMA shows,” Joe Rogan said. “I hope they don’t go, like, ‘F**k them. They went to Paramount.’ I hope it’s a mutually beneficial thing, like the UFC at least does some content still on ESPN, because I think that’s also a big factor in pulling people from casual viewers that watch other sports that might occasionally watch a UFC fight and then they see, like, Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway and they’re like, ‘Holy sh*t.’
“And then they’re hooked. Having that coverage on SportsCenter, that shit’s huge. Having those post-fight shows on ESPN+, that sh*t is huge for the real dorks like me, that’s huge.”
As part of the new agreement, Paramount+ will become the primary U.S. destination for all 13 numbered UFC pay-per-view cards and 30 Fight Night events annually. Every fight will stream live on the platform, while select high-profile cards will also receive a primetime broadcast on Paramount’s flagship network, CBS.
The UFC will also move away from its long-standing pay-per-view model, making every event accessible to Paramount+ subscribers. However, UFC CEO Dana White has hinted that the promotion may roll out special “one-off” PPV cards on rare occasions.
Joe Rogan is bullish on the UFC’s new broadcast deal.
The UFC’s exclusive five-year rights deal with ESPN will wrap up at the end of 2025, and the promotion has already lined up its next historic chapter with a seven-year, $7.7 billion U.S. broadcasting partnership with Paramount Skydance Corporation.
Paramount+ will serve as the premier U.S. home for all 13 marquee numbered UFC cards and 30 Fight Night events each year. Every bout will stream on the platform, with select blockbuster cards also airing simultaneously on Paramount’s flagship network, CBS.
PARAMOUNT AND TKO ANNOUNCE HISTORIC UFC MEDIA RIGHTS AGREEMENT💥All UFC numbered events and Fight Nights will stream live on Paramount+, with select marquee fights simulcast on CBS, beginning in 2026. pic.twitter.com/54z8DWlCk1
The biggest shake-up for fans sees the UFC abandoning the traditional pay-per-view model, putting every event within reach for Paramount+ subscribers. In the U.S., plans range from $7.99 to $12.99 a month for the ad-free tier that also includes Showtime. Still, UFC CEO Dana White has teased the possibility of occasional “one-off” pay-per-view events.
Image: UFC/YouTube
Joe Rogan Sees UFC-Paramount+ Move As A Massive Win For MMA Fans
During a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, the long-time UFC commentator shared his take on the promotion’s blockbuster deal with Paramount+. Rogan believes replacing the conventional pay-per-view model with an all-access streaming approach could be a game-changer, drawing in a wave of new fans and expanding the reach of MMA to a broader, more diverse audience than ever before.
“Through the roof,” Joe Rogan said. “And it’s a super smart move for Paramount. What a great move to not just have the UFC for seven years, but to have it for free. How much does it cost a month? Ten bucks, let’s say it’s ten bucks. That’s crazy. That’s a $120 a year, you can watch every UFC pay-per-view? Two UFC pay-per-views is, like, 140 bucks, right? Isn’t it? Aren’t they, like, $70? So you get all of them. Everything’s free? That’s incredible. This sport is going to go f**king hypernova.”
Joe Rogan, who first joined the UFC in 1997 as a backstage interviewer at UFC 12, has witnessed the promotion’s evolution through every major broadcast era, from Spike TV to FOX to ESPN.
Now, as Dana White confirmed, the 58-year-old MMA mainstay isn’t going anywhere; Rogan will be front and center as the UFC enters its new chapter with Paramount.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has explained why being a fighter is one of the craziest jobs out there.
As we know, Joe Rogan has served as one of the main voices of the Ultimate Fighting Championship over the course of the last few decades. In that time, he’s seen a lot of fighters come and go – and he’s seen the sport of mixed martial arts evolve in ways that few of us could’ve imagined was possible. In the present day, the UFC has just signed a new blockbuster deal with Paramount that looks set to take the promotion to a whole new level.
Joe Rogan will be along for the ride, continuing to defend and promote mixed martial arts against all of those who criticize it. While not everyone is going to be a big fan of the product, largely due to the violent nature of the sport, it certainly seems to be getting accepted more so now than it was even just a few years ago.
“It’s very different than a street fight because you’re agreeing to it and you’re training for it. You’ve got this other person who’s like training. You know they’re scary as [expletive] and they’re on the other side of the cage and then you step in and the two of you are about to go to war. It’s the nuttiest job in the history of the world. It really is. Other than war and being a firefighter or a cop, it is the nuttiest job in the history of the world. You’re agreeing to throw bones at each other in front of the world. Millions of people. People love it.”
The most‐listened podcast host in the United States, Joe Rogan, has turned sustained attention to the Donald Trump administration’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related records. In a recent conversation with former CIA operations officer Mike Baker, Rogan challenged official explanations for Epstein’s 2019 jail death, questioned gaps in newly released surveillance footage, and criticized what he called a pattern of “messaging failures” inside the White House and Donal Trump administration.
Joe Rogan Critisizes Donald Trump’s Handling of Jeffrey Epstein
Rogan’s “The Joe Rogan Experience” averages 11 million listeners per episode on Spotify and reaches millions more through YouTube clip channels and syndicated news coverage. His audience overlaps significantly with the populist‐leaning faction of the president’s voter base, making his statements crucial signals of grassroots discontent.
During episode #2354, Rogan began by calling the entire Epstein case “so crazy” because official sources now insist that “there’s no tapes, there’s no video” despite years of references to large caches of recorded material. He reminded listeners that forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden reported Epstein had “three broken bones in his neck, which never happens when you hang yourself,” a detail Rogan believes undermines the government’s suicide finding.
Joe Rogan focused on the surveillance clip released by the Department of Justice on July 5. “They said they have a film… but the film has a [expletive] minute missing from it. Like, do you think we’re babies? What is this?” he asked. Independent forensic analysis published by WIRED later confirmed that nearly three minutes of source footage had been trimmed before release, raising additional questions about the gap. Attorney General Pam Bondi has attributed the jump to a nightly system reset of the jail’s aging recorder, but experts told CBS this explanation is atypical for modern security systems.
Ghislaine Maxwell Interview Questions
Rogan also zeroed in on the DOJ’s decision to interview Ghislaine Maxwell six years after her 2019 arrest. “Nobody from DOJ has ever, according to her legal team, interviewed Gileain Maxwell. This is the first time the DOJ is talking to her, even though she is serving 20 years for sex trafficking,” he said, paraphrasing her attorneys’ complaints. NBC News confirmed that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche personally led two days of closed‐door sessions with Maxwell in late July, an unusual step for a senior official. Commentators have noted it is rare for a deputy attorney general to conduct witness interviews directly.
Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, has intensified her legal efforts in July 2025. On July 28, her attorneys filed a brief with the Supreme Court arguing that a 2007 non-prosecution agreement with Epstein should have protected her from prosecution. The filing came just three days after Maxwell met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche for what her attorney described as “a very productive day.”
Maxwell’s legal team directly appealed to Trump for clemency, with attorney David Oscar Markus stating: “We are appealing not only to the Supreme Court but to the president himself to recognize how profoundly unjust it is to scapegoat Ghislaine Maxwell for Epstein’s crimes.”
Trump has repeatedly refused to rule out pardoning Maxwell, stating on July 28: “Well, I’m allowed to give her a pardon, but nobody’s approached me with it. Nobody’s asked me about it”. This has drawn criticism from Epstein survivors and some Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, who expressed “great pause” about the possibility.
Baker’s Intelligence‐Community Lens
Baker, who spent decades running covert operations, added that Epstein’s properties were likely wired with “pinhole cameras all over; you’d have to gut the walls to remove them,” making it implausible that no incriminating video exists. “The idea that there wasn’t some kind of intelligence agency involved or watching is naive,” he said, arguing that both U.S. and foreign services exploit blackmail when recruiting assets. He cited Russia’s “shotgun approach” of gathering compromising material as a parallel.
Rogan and Baker flagged payments uncovered in earlier Senate inquiries, including Apollo Global co-founder Leon Black’s $158 million in consulting fees to Epstein between 2012 and 2017. Baker called the sums “operationally interesting,” while Rogan suggested they pointed to a sophisticated leverage network rather than legitimate tax advice. Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden continues to pursue Black for documentation on those transfers.
Political Fallout for the Trump Administration
Rogan’s criticism carries added weight because he endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 campaign and regularly hosts Trump‐aligned guests. He told listeners that the unresolved questions mark a “line in the sand” for supporters who expected full disclosure. Media outlets from CNN to Yahoo News have highlighted Rogan’s shift as evidence that the Epstein controversy is fracturing parts of the president’s right‐leaning coalition. Joe Rogan was personally thanked during Donald Trumps election victory.
The Epstein files controversy represents the first significant fracture in Trump’s MAGA coalition, with supporters who backed him based on anti-establishment and “drain the swamp” messaging feeling betrayed. The crisis has created an unusual situation where Trump cannot use his typical deflection tactics effectively, as the demands for transparency come from his own base rather than political opponents.
The controversy continues to dominate headlines and has followed Trump internationally, with protesters in Ohio holding “JD Protects Pedophiles” signs during Vice President Vance’s appearances. Despite the mounting pressure, Trump has maintained that the Epstein story is a “hoax” while simultaneously suing media outlets and refusing to definitively rule out a Maxwell pardon.
In July 2025, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had contributed to a compilation of birthday letters for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003, which allegedly included a drawing of a nude woman and the message “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret”. Trump vehemently denied writing the letter, calling it “fake,” and filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the newspaper and owner Rupert Murdoch.
Trump explained his break with Epstein differently than previous accounts, claiming on July 28 that he ended the friendship because Epstein “stole people that worked for me” rather than the previous explanation that he kicked Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago “for being a creep.”
Messaging Missteps
The host faulted the White House for what he called a self-inflicted credibility problem: “If you think you can get away with saying ‘there’s nothing to see here’ after all the hype, you should be fired. The ability to have a self-inflicted wound because of messaging is a hallmark of the Trump administration,” Rogan said. Baker agreed, noting that administration surrogates spent years promising “explosive” evidence only to release a two-page memo stating the case is closed.
Bondi contends the July 8 memo and video were intended to settle speculation. She has reiterated that the DOJ found “no incriminating client list” after reviewing investigative files. On the missing-minute issue, she told reporters the same gap appears in each night’s recording because of an equipment reset. CBS forensic analysts, however, say metadata proves the DOJ video was edited and not truly raw.
The House Oversight Subcommittee has subpoenaed Maxwell to testify remotely on August 11, though her credibility and willingness to answer questions remain uncertain. Meanwhile, legal experts predict continued litigation over public access to grand-jury transcripts and sealed exhibits, even though multiple federal judges have ruled against unsealing them.
Joe Rogan’s ongoing interest ensures the Epstein narrative will persist in conservative media circles, keeping pressure on the administration to clarify inconsistencies.
Dustin Poirier thinks it would’ve meant a lot to have Joe Rogan on commentary for his final UFC fight.
“The Diamond” is set to make his final walk to the Octagon this Saturday in the main event of UFC 318, where he’ll cap off his storied career with a trilogy showdown against reigning BMF titleholder Max Holloway. The farewell will take place in front of his hometown crowd at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Rogan has been the voice behind countless iconic UFC moments over the years, and his absence from Dustin Poirier’s swan song at UFC 318 feels like a notable omission. Breaking from his usual routine, especially for a U.S.-based pay-per-view, Rogan is not on commentary duty tonight.
While no official reason has been given for his absence, the veteran broadcaster has been replaced by former UFC lightweight Paul Felder, who joins longtime play-by-play man Jon Anik and UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier to complete the broadcast team.
Image: UFC/YouTube
Dustin Poirier Grateful To Have Fellow Louisianan Daniel Cormier Calling UFC 318 In Joe Rogan’s Absence
Speaking to reporters ahead of UFC 318, Dustin Poirier addressed Joe Rogan’s absence from the broadcast. The former interim lightweight champion admitted it would’ve been special to have Rogan call his final bout but expressed gratitude that fellow Lafayette native Daniel Cormier will be part of the commentary team on such a meaningful night.
“Closing it out with Rogan would be cool, but also, DC, the legend he is, and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer he is, just everything he brings is awesome to be able to talk to him when it’s all said and done,” Dustin Poirier said. “[He’s] another Louisiana boy in New Orleans so, it’s special.”
“The Diamond” is slated for his second shot at the BMF title, hoping to rewrite the narrative after a brutal setback in his first attempt. That opportunity came at UFC 291 in July 2023, where Poirier fell to a crushing head kick knockout delivered by Justin Gaethje.
Poirier will aim to complete a clean sweep in his trilogy with Max Holloway, having already bested the Hawaiian twice before. Their first meeting at UFC 143 in February 2012 ended with Poirier securing a submission win, while their rematch at UFC 236 in April 2019 saw “The Diamond” emerge victorious once again, this time after a five-round battle to capture the interim lightweight championship.
This decision impacted the entire event, including a stacked undercard, causing frustration among fighters and fans alike. The matchup pitted KSI, who has boxing experience since 2018, against Danis, a jiu-jitsu black belt with limited boxing exposure.
During a JRE Fight Companion broadcast for UFC London, Joe Rogan expressed his bewilderment at KSI’s decision to postpone the fight.
Rogan, along with Brendan Schaub and Gordon Ryan, Danis’ longtime rival, found it perplexing that KSI, considered the superior boxer, would withdraw due to illness. They felt KSI should have been able to compete, even at a reduced capacity.
“How does KSI pull out against Dillon Danis? Dillon’s not a boxer. KSI is a pretty good boxer, he’s legit,” Rogan said. “It’s crazy that he would (pull out). You’d think he could not even be at his best and take that fight.”
Danis responded to the postponement by stating that KSI “pulled out,” not merely postponed the event, highlighting the significant financial and logistical implications of the cancellation. He drew a sharp contrast between postponing a multi-million-dollar fight card and a “little league baseball game.”
In a further attempt to salvage the event, Danis publicly called upon Logan Paul, KSI’s previous opponent, to step in for a rematch. He expressed sympathy for the other fighters on the card and the fans who had purchased tickets, criticizing KSI’s decision as being based on “the sniffles.”
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan knows what he wants to see next from featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria — and it’s not a second dance with Alexander Volkanovski.
Topuria remains without a date in the calendar for his first fight of 2025, following on from a 2024 in which he dethroned Volkanovski and became the first man to knock out Max Holloway.
A rematch with “Alexander the Great” was quickly tipped as the Spaniard’s next assignment after he defended the belt against “Blessed” last October. But frequent comments from Topuria and his team regarding a lightweight switch have led to some uncertainty.
“As crazy as it sounds, I hope Ilia goes up to (155 pounds). I really do,” Rogan said during his JRE Fight Companion episode for Saturday’s UFC 312 pay-per-view. “Volkanovski-Diego Lopes (at) 145, Ilia goes up to ’55. I don’t care if he only defended the title one time or didn’t, who cares. Let’s go. Let’s f*cking go.
“It’d be nice [to see him fight some of the other contenders at (featherweight), but also, who cares? Let’s go. Let’s f*cking go,” Rogan added.
Plenty is evidently left to be decided at 145 pounds, with various reports flying about Topuria vs. Volkanovski 2 and other potential bouts such as Volkanovski against the charging Diego Lopes.
Makhachev, meanwhile, remains without a next challenger to his throne after top contender Arman Tsarukyan ruled himself out by withdrawing from UFC 311 on 24 hours’ notice.
The promotion is promising something huge for the Dagestani next time out, though, perhaps boosting Topuria’s chances of securing the matchup.
While the UFC 312 main event itself didn’t exactly deliver fireworks, color commentator Joe Rogan was extremely impressed by how middleweight kingpin Dricus Du Plessis controlled it.
After narrowly dethroning the polarizing American by way of split decision 13 months ago, the South African champ put a stamp on his superiority over “Tarzan” second time around.
During his JRE Fight Companion episode for UFC 312, Rogan reacted to Du Plessis’ dominant five-round decision victory over the former titleholder, who was left with a badly broken nose.
“DDP fought really well, man,” Rogan said. “It was that big right hand that changed everything. … Dricus Du Plessis, ladies and gentlemen. He’s a tough puzzle to figure out. A very tough fight to figure out.
“He’s a big f***** for 185 pounds too. That’s a big f*****,” Rogan continued. “He did a really good job of setting up, throwing that low kick, switch kick to the body, and kept that pace up for the entire five (rounds). He keeps getting better.”
While Strickland goes back to the drawing board after being pushed out of the title conversation following two defeats to Du Plessis in his last three fights, “Stillknocks” has a ready list of challengers vying for a shot at his gold.
Weight cutting in MMA has been a problem for decades. Joe Rogan, for one, wants to see a significant rule change in the UFC to eliminate it for good.
The longtime UFC color commentator has talked about this problem frequently and did so yet again while speaking with former light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka on his podcast.
He sees the dangers it causes to fighters’ bodies. Rogan said he’d prefer the UFC to implement more weight classes to prevent significant cuts, an idea he pitched to Ari Emanuel when Endeavor bought the promotion’s parent company, Zuffa.
“I think weight cutting should be eliminated,” Rogan said on The Joe Rogan Experience. “I said this to Ari Emanuel when they first bought the UFC. I said, ‘Listen, man, you know what we should do? Get rid of weight cutting. Just stop it.’ Look, if you can randomly test people for drugs, you can randomly test their weight.
“Show up with a scale. ‘Hey, buddy, step on the scale. You’re 190 pounds? How the f*ck are you making 145?’ Do something like that and come up with more weight classes. There should be a weight class every 10 pounds. This idea of these giant gaps like 185 to 205, that’s a 20-pound gap. That’s huge. That doesn’t exist in boxing. They should have every 10 pounds: 85, 95, 205, 225, and then unlimited.”
Rogan believes that it should be where the weight cuts are catered around the UFC champions and what they walk around at. That would eliminate wild cuts where fighters lose dozens of pounds.
“Instead of having weight cuts, just take the champions, find out what the champion weighs – like don’t get rid of the championship belts,” Rogan said. “Find out what does Islam Makhachev weigh. Islam Makhachev is a UFC champion, best pound-for-pound fighter on Earth. Find out what he weighs.
“What do you weigh if you were healthy, if weight cutting didn’t exist? Would it be 185, 190? Whatever that is, that’s how you fight now, and we’re not going to weigh you in the day before and let you rehydrate. That’s crazy talk. Fight people your size. The fights would be better because too many people get depleted horribly.”
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka wasn’t pleased to be told of one topic that came up during the broadcast of his recent victory.
Procházka was among the biggest winners to emerge from Saturday’s UFC 311 pay-per-view in Inglewood, California, where he got the better of a fellow ex-titleholder in Jamahal Hill to reignite his hopes of a second title reign.
During and after the bout, “BJP” was widely praised for seemingly displaying an improved defensive game, especially in regards to his head movement.
But during his post-fight press conference, Procházka was still unhappy to hear of the same concerns being raised by the broadcast team when it comes to one element of his approach — keeping his hands down.
“F*ck them. I worked on that so much,” Procházka said. “(People) messaged me every day, ‘You have to keep your hands up.’ So OK, I will do that for this fight. I will keep the hands up, especially for this night.
“(I keep my hand down because) I believe in my senses. I believe in my feeling in a fight – in my head movement. That’s why I can keep the hands down,” Procházka continued. “To be honest, in the last fight with Alex (Pereira), I was a little bit too hands down. So this is something I’ve worked on. I want to see the video from the fight (against Hill), because I believe that I (kept my hands up).”
With such a style being widely branded counter-productive in his two efforts opposite Alex Pereira, perhaps Procházka will plan on putting even more emphasis on staying defensively responsible should his wish to meet “Poatan” for a third time come to fruition down the line.
Interestingly, Rogan claimed on his podcast that he had heard whispers of the reigning UFC Heavyweight champion demanding a staggering $30 million to face Aspinall. He even expressed optimism that the UFC might meet the hefty price tag to make the highly anticipated clash a reality.
However, during a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, the seasoned UFC commentator shared that he received a call from UFC CEO Dana White, who refuted his earlier statements. Rogan admitted the particular episode was recorded roughly two weeks ago and confessed he couldn’t recall the source who mentioned Jones’ rumored $30 million demand.
“We were talking about Jon Jones and I had heard a rumor that Jon Jones wanted $30 million to fight Tom Aspinall,” Rogan said. “And I did hear that rumor and I did hear that the UFC said yes. But it is not true, Dana contacted me and said that rumor is bullsh*t. So I felt obligated to tell everybody that was a fake rumor. I don’t even remember because we did that podcast two weeks ago, I don’t remember who told me that.”
“Bones” was last seen in action at UFC 309 in November 2024, where he secured a dominant third-round knockout win over former champion Stipe Miocic in his first heavyweight title defense.
Meanwhile, Aspinall has held the interim heavyweight title since knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023. He further solidified his reign with another knockout win over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July 2024.
