“They Needed Someone’- Joe Rogan’s Massive Confession About Early UFC Days Brought to Light by UFC 12: Judgement Day Headliner

Published 12/16/2023, 3:24 AM EST

Joe Rogan is renowned for his roles in ‘News Radio’ and ‘Fear Factor,’ and was recently recognized by a pioneering figure in the sport of MMA, Mark Coleman. Coleman himself carries huge fame, owing to his impressive physique and exceptional wrestling skills. He also played a significant role in the UFC 12: Judgement Day event held in 1997. This event, which unfolded in Dothan, Alabama, gained prominence, marking Joe Rogan’s inaugural appearance in the UFC, alongside introducing Vitor Belfort to the promotion for the first time.

‘The Hammer’ recently shared on Instagram a video of Rogan talking about how he became a part of the UFC and later joined the commentary team. The heartwarming video takes us back to the early days of the sport and how Joe Rogan became the voice of the UFC for a generation of MMA fans.

Joe Rogan reveals the story behind his UFC debut

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UFC 12 is notable for being the first event in the promotion’s history to feature weight classes, with fighters split into heavyweights, 200 lbs and over, and the lightweights, 200 lbs and under. Notably, before this event, the UFC did not have any weight classes so fans even saw fighters take on opponents that dwarfed them in stature!

The event was headlined by a ‘Superfight’ between legends Dan Severn and Mark Coleman, and the fight was the first time a UFC Heavyweight Champion was crowned. In a recent update on his Instagram story, Coleman shared a video of Joe Rogan talking about his involvement in the event.

Rogan stated, “I started in 1997, I was the post-fight interviewer, UFC was very small back then, very few people knew what it was. They needed someone to do post-fight interviews, I did that and the rest is history. And then I became the commentator.”

Coleman’s post, featuring Rogan reminiscing about his early days, is a nostalgic glimpse into the sport’s evolution. From post-fight interviewer to becoming the iconic voice of the UFC, Rogan’s trajectory truly reflects the growth and transformation of mixed martial arts.

As the UFC continues to thrive, Rogan remains an integral part of its identity. This only goes to show how the past is interlinked with the present and preserves the rich history of the sport. And in honor of Coleman’s post, let’s explore the MMA legacy of ‘The Hammer’!

A brief look at Mark Coleman’s MMA career

Mark Coleman, a notable figure in the initial years of the UFC, left an enduring imprint on the MMA narrative through his revolutionary ground-and-pound style. A wrestler who once clinched the prestigious NCAA championship, Coleman’s unmatched brute strength and aggressive tactics established a groundbreaking benchmark in the sport.

Watch: Joe Rogan’s Iconic Reactions To The Best Moments in UFC History

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A pioneer for the ground-and-pound technique, Coleman exhibited dominance by consistently delivering fierce strikes on the ground. Despite scrutiny of his perceived deficiencies in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and boxing, his innovative approach brought about a paradigm shift in MMA, securing him a distinguished place among its trailblazers.

Coleman was also a part of PRIDE FC in Japan, where he faced off against legends like Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Fedor Emilianenko, and Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic. All in all, Coleman’s legacy is cemented in MMA history, marked by victories in UFC tournaments and as the first UFC Heavyweight Champion!

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Who were your favorite fighters from the early days of the UFC? Share them with us in the comments below!

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Written by:

I am Dushyant Patni, a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. My passion for Mixed Martial Arts started because my father used to be a boxer and a martial arts fanatic. It passed down to me as my first pair of boxing gloves were his old ones! Prior to joining EssentiallySports, I honed my writing and editing skills across various organizations as a writer and an editor.

Edited by:

Joyita Das

“They Needed Someone’- Joe Rogan’s Massive Confession About Early UFC Days Brought to Light by UFC 12: Judgement Day Headliner

Joe Rogan reveals the story behind his UFC debut

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A brief look at Mark Coleman’s MMA career