Not many fans know the UFC pre-Rogan. Heck, I don’t. Rogan first appeared in the UFC in 1997 at UFC 12, working the microphone as a cageside interviewer and analyst, and has been the A-show color commentator for 15 years.
This picture is actually of the UFC debuts of both Joe Rogan and Vitor Belfort all the way back in 1997.
On his seniority alone, it’s hard to imagine a Rogan-less UFC…but that’s exactly where we seem to be going. Speaking with Rolling Stone, Rogan opened up on his UFC future and he did not seem especially positive. Here’s what he had to say:
I’m already wondering whether or not I can continue doing this as it is. I will always be a fan, I’ll always love it, but [expletive], I’ve been working for the UFC on and off for almost 20 years…You know, it’s a very different thing calling fights rather than just being a fan. I’ll always be a fan, for sure, but as far as calling fights…boy, I don’t see that going on very much longer.
That’s not a huge surprise for fans that keep up with Rogan.
“JOE ROGAN WAS NEVER MY FRIEND!” –Dana White, Later This Year, probably
Rogan told Bleacherreport.com earlier this year that his UFC contract expires in August and, in all likelihood, it will not be renewed. On top of that, the UFC has been cleaning up its public image in many ways in terms of drug testing, uniforms and new graphics for its broadcasts, and a prominent figure that calls fights on Saturday, then encourages fans to buy masturbatory aides, weed and Alpha Brain on Sunday doesn’t really fit in with where the company is going.
Even if Joe Rogan leaves commentating behind, he still has major podcasts and a successful career as a standup comic to fall back on.
Where the UFC goes from there is anyone’s guess. They’ve tried out new color commentators recently (including Dominick Cruz and Daniel Cormier), and it’s possible they have one of them become a permanent figure at the desk. It’s also possible Brian Stann or Kenny Florian take over the pay-per-view duty.
Either way, it seems all but certain that, come this Autumn, Rogan’s days as a UFC commentator are over.
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