In the UFC, fighter pay has always been a heated topic. The promotion reportedly pays around $10–15k as show and win money for newcomers, excluding bonuses. So, if a fighter wins, their total purse might land somewhere around $20–25k. But what happens when a bad decision takes that win away? Suddenly, the fighter’s left with nothing but frustration. And that’s exactly the kind of thing that makes Joe Rogan’s blood boil. 

The UFC color commentator has never shied away from calling out the poor judging in combat sports. Once, he’s also pointed out how boxing judges sometimes get assigned to score MMA fights, only fueling his frustration even more. Over the years, Rogan has let his anger spill over on multiple occasions, blasting the judges who rob fighters of their hard-earned money through sheer incompetence. Now, that sentiment remains the same. 

Joe Rogan lambasts UFC judges for robbing the fighters  

In the Joe Rogan Experience #2389 – Sal Vulcano, Rogan started the conversation by saying, “It happens in the UFC. It happens in the UFC all the time. There are bad decisions, and it’s infuriating. It’s infuriating to the athlete, too, because, particularly in the UFC, there’s a win bonus. So, imagine that you actually beat a guy, you hit the gas in the second and third rounds. You f–ing burn yourself out, you get the decision.” 

Rogan definitely has a point. With the UFC putting on over 40 shows a year, it’s almost inevitable that fans will scream “robbery” after several fights. One of the most infamous examples is Dominick Reyes losing to Jon Jones at UFC 247 via split decision. But while that loss might not have hit Reyes financially, it’s a completely different story for a promising fighter struggling to make ends meet on $15k to show and win.

With that in mind, the UFC commentator added, “You’re like, ‘I f—ing did it. Your corner celebrated. And we got the last two rounds all you. And then you hear the judges, and then you’re like, ‘No f–ing way’. They robbed me, and it happens. It happens all the time. So, say you’re a young guy, and you’re starting out in the UFC, and you have a contract, and maybe it’s like 15 and 15. What that means is that you get $15,000 to show, and then $15,000 to win. So, if you lose, you only get that 15,000. So, those judges just stole $15,000 from you.” 

And that’s absolutely true. For a fighter earning just $15k to show and win, it can be a real struggle to cover gym fees, coaching costs, and other necessary expenses. Rogan has also highlighted the immense hard work these fighters put in just to make ends meet. 

UFC commentator shares a common story of struggling fighters 

Most MMA fighters come from humble backgrounds, where money is scarce and dreams are expensive. Sure, there are exceptions like Arman Tsarukyan, who comes from a well-off family. But the majority, like Alex Pereira, growing up in the favelas, have to fight for every opportunity. For many of them, teaching martial arts while training becomes the only way to make ends meet.

That’s exactly what Joe Rogan has highlighted: “You don’t have any money. Zero money. You have to work a job. There’s no way you’re doing that without a job. If you’re lucky, you can teach—maybe private lessons, like a Jiu-Jitsu guy or a kickboxer could during the day. But other than that, you’re barely getting by, and they just stole 15 grand from you.”

Take Donald Cerrone, for example. In The Players’ Tribune, he revealed how he used to teach Muay Thai and MMA classes just to support himself financially, all while chasing his dream of becoming the best martial artist ever. And his story is far from unique; many fighters have had to grind in the same way.

So, do you agree with Joe Rogan that judges are actually robbing fighters? Let us know in the comments below.