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‘If Jon Jones Wins…’- Joe Rogan Questions Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Recent Comments on MMA Reaching Its Zenith

Published 02/15/2023, 12:05 PM EST

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Recently, Joe Rogan and his fellow MMA and comedy enthusiasts came together to watch the much-anticipated UFC 284 event, where they spent their time shooting the breeze about anything and everything. As they watched the main event bout between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski, they couldn’t help but notice that this was the first time Khabib Nurmagomedov wasn’t cornering Makhachev.

This observation led the group to discuss ‘The Eagle’ and his departure from MMA, with Brendan Schaub sharing his thoughts on Nurmagomedov’s priorities and his claim that MMA has reached its peak, to which Rogan vehemently disagreed. Moreover, the 55-year-old provided his own reasoning for why the future of MMA looks bright, explaining that it all comes down to what the public wants to see and who they want to watch fight.

Joe Rogan explains why Khabib Nurmagomedov is wrong about MMA

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Joe Rogan, along with Eddie Bravo, Bryan Callen, and Brendan Schaub, gathered for the latest episode of Fight Companion on the JRE to watch UFC 284. The conversation soon turned to Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s absence from Makhachev’s corner, and Schaub shared ‘The Eagle’s decision to leave MMA to focus on his family. The former UFC fighter went on to claim that Nurmagomedov believed that MMA has peaked and is done. Schaub said, “He [Khabib Nurmagomedov] also said MMA has reached it’s peak.”

But the JRE host was quick to shoot down that idea and stated, “I don’t know if that’s true.” 

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Responding to this, Brendan Schaub added that the numbers would side ‘The Eagle’ on that one, though. To which Rogan replied, by saying that fighters like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones can easily change that. He said, “Well, the numbers change depending upon who’s fighting. If Conor [McGregor] comes back, the numbers go skyrocketing. If Jon Jones wins and becomes a heavyweight champion, the numbers skyrocket.”

Moreover, Rogan even went on to explain the core issue that might make one believe otherwise and connected the dots for the listeners.

It is all about who the public wants to see

Joe Rogan argued that MMA is far from over and has plenty of fight left in it. He firmly believes that the success of MMA lies in the UFC’s ability to put on a show that excites the masses, rather than catering solely to the avid followers of the sport. Rogan understands that it’s all about the numbers, and the UFC needs to appeal to the average person to increase viewership.

The 55-year-old mentioned, “You got to get the public behind it. When the public’s behind it- It’s not just us, the psychos who are always watching this sh*t. I watch every fight night.”

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He further added, “It’s the people that are going to watch because it’s a big event. ‘Are you going to the fight?’ I know that because I get like LA texts, from the casuals. Like, ‘Hey, are you gonna be on the UFC? Who’s Conor[McGregor] fighting?’ You know, like those guys.”

Joe Rogan‘s belief that the UFC needs to appeal to the masses is not just a matter of opinion but is backed up by facts. He knows that it’s all about bringing the people in and giving them a reason to tune in and watch the sport.

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Watch this story: Why Was The Latest Episode of The Joe Rogan Podcast Missing?

Do you agree with Joe Rogan on this one? Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments below.

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Written by:

Mayur Soni

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One take at a time

Mayur Soni is a UFC Writer at EssentiallySports. His interest in the UFC heightened when he first saw his favorite fighter Conor McGregor knockout Jose Aldo in mere 13 seconds, in 2015. He thus got hooked on the sport.
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Edited by:

Vineet Nandwana