It’s been over thirty years since Joe Rogan first stepped into the UFC spotlight, quickly establishing himself as the “ultimate voice of MMA.” With roots in combat sports and a résumé that includes stand-up comedy and hosting Fear Factor—Rogan brought a unique blend of expertise, charisma, and intensity to the broadcast booth. His expressive reactions and undeniable chemistry with longtime partners like Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier have helped make him a mainstay of UFC events.

Many fans view the podcaster as a crucial force driving the promotion’s success, standing shoulder to shoulder with Dana White and the fighters themselves. Joe Rogan’s path into commentary ignited from a fan’s fervor, not a media opportunity. He was determined to secure the best seat in the house to catch all the action firsthand. What better place to be than cageside? Throughout the years, the Austin native established himself as a staple of UFC broadcasts, showcasing his passion, sharp insight, and undeniable energy. In recent years, Joe Rogan’s commentary has come under fire from fans and critics alike. Let’s dissect this.

Joe Rogan’s Top UFC Mistakes Uncovered

Once battling financial struggles, Joe Rogan has since built a fortune worth over $200 million—thanks largely to the runaway success of ventures like Onnit and The Joe Rogan Experience, now considered one of the most influential podcasts in the world. But with success comes trade-offs. As Rogan devotes more time to his outside pursuits, his presence on UFC pay-per-view broadcasts has steadily waned. His absence from this month’s UFC 318 card only fueled speculation and fresh debate over his long-term future with the promotion.

A growing number feel that his insights have become inconsistent or even biased. One Instagram page, Weird MMA, recently revisited UFC 259’s light heavyweight bout between Israel Adesanya and Jan Blachowicz to highlight the issue. They pointed out: Joe Rogan’s commentary made it seem like Adesanya was winning the first three rounds, “giving no credit” to Jan Blachowicz.

Despite Rogan’s portrayal of the fight, Blachowicz secured a clear victory via unanimous decision, with scorecards reading 49–46, 49–46, and 49–45. Similarly, another frequently cited example is the UFC 264 bout between Ilia Topuria and Ryan Hall. In that fight, Hall repeatedly attempted—and failed—to land his signature Imanari rolls. Yet, as many fans pointed out: “Joe Rogan spent the entire fight praising” Ryan Hall’s skills.

In a twist of fate, during one of those unsuccessful roll attempts, Topuria seized the opportunity, struck hard, and knocked Hall out cold. Consequently, some fans are now voicing their concerns about the disconnection in his commentary. Despite the mounting criticism, Rogan shows no signs of backing down from the UFC. For him, this has always been the dream job. The backlash is intensifying, as fighters are stepping up alongside fans to challenge Rogan’s commentary.

Fighters begin turning on Joe Rogan’s commentary

Joe Rogan has seen it all inside the Octagon. But UFC 314 might have been one of the rare moments that left the veteran commentator in the hot seat. During the final preliminary bout between Dan Ige and Sean Woodson, the two featherweights put on a gritty back-and-forth battle. However, just as the third round began to unfold, things took a controversial turn.

At 1:12 of Round 3, Sean Woodson attempted a takedown, only to be met with a punishing blow from Dan Ige that left him visibly rattled. Before Woodson could fully recover or respond, referee Andrew Glenn stepped in and waved off the fight. The timing of the stoppage didn’t sit well with everyone—especially Joe Rogan, who reacted in real time on commentary, saying: “Bad stoppage.”

That single comment stirred debate, casting a cloud over Ige’s win and leading some fans to question its legitimacy. Addressing the situation head-on, Dan Ige didn’t shy away from Joe Rogan’s critique. In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, he said:

“It kind of sucks because it does rob from me a little bit. But then again, at the end of the day, I still got a win on my record. I still got two checks, and I can’t be mad about it. But people hear that, and then again, it kind of sways their own perspective. Yeah, it sucks, but you know, it’s their job. And it’s not an easy job, because anything you say, you’re judged for.”

That’s Dan Ige speaking his truth. But his words open up a bigger debate—has the podcaster lost his edge behind the mic? What’s your take? Is Joe Rogan still the voice of MMA, or are we witnessing the early signs of commentary burnout? Sound off in the comments.