UFC color commentator and podcasting powerhouse Joe Rogan has crossed paths with countless personalities from all walks of life, but few have left him as floored as Francis Ngannou. It wasn’t just Ngannou’s status as one of the most dangerous combat athletes on the planet that shook Rogan—it was the sheer enormity of his presence, a true physical marvel that left the seasoned martial artist in awe.

Rogan, who dabbled in martial arts during his younger years, was taken aback the first time he met Ngannou face-to-face. The experience was one that stuck with him. Let’s dive into Rogan’s unforgettable encounter with ‘The Predator’ and how it left an indelible mark on the UFC commentator.

Joe Rogan retells his shocking experience while meeting the apex “Predator”

The former comedian was joined by John Rallo, Matt Serra, and Din Thomas in episode 163 of JRE, and they spoke about a lot of things but started with Wu-Tang Clan song comments. Then moved on to Hand grip exercises and how to make your hands stronger. Then Rogan pointed out how some men act like they could take on anyone but then meet someone bigger than them and all their bravery goes away. This is when he recalled his own experience with Francis Ngannou who is 6 feet 4 inches tall and a boxer, so you can imagine how huge his physique is.

Joe Rogan, who is 5 feet 8 inches recalling his experience stated, “Like if you are meeting Francis Ngannou how fu** terrifying is that? You are a regular dude and that guy’s hand. You are like what the fu** man. I remember the first time I interviewed him. I was standing next to him. I am like what the fu** man?  That guy is so powerful.”

Rogan felt the sheer power radiating from “The Predator” but even then, Joshua believed he had the skills to take on the most dangerous fighter in the game. Size didn’t intimidate him, but brute strength? That’s what concerned Joshua. Shockingly, he managed to knock out his opponent within just two rounds. So how did he do it?

AJ’s secret to beating the Predator

In a recent sit-down with DAZN Boxing to promote his upcoming bout against Daniel Dubois, Joshua reflected on his win over the power-punching Ngannou and revealed his strategy. “The guy was a juggernaut. He was massive,” Joshua admitted, almost adding to Rogan’s mystique. He knew that brute strength alone wouldn’t be enough to handle Ngannou, a fighter known for his raw, explosive power. So, Joshua leaned on his boxing IQ rather than his physicality. “If I only depended on strength, it would have been a lot tougher fight. But because I’ve tried to improve my IQ, I was able to dispatch a goliath quickly.”

Joshua mentioned how he studied Ngannou’s previous fight with Tyson Fury and wanted to outshine the legendary heavyweight’s performance. And with this win over the two-time champion, Joshua has charted his path toward a title shot.

Next up: Daniel Dubois. Joshua is determined to begin his third reign as the IBF Heavyweight Champion. Will he rise to the challenge and reclaim his throne? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!