UFC is all set to create history in Baku, Azerbaijan, with a light-heavyweight bout between former title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. and former champion Jamahall Hill. But when they first announced the clash in April, we all knew one person would definitely be missing from his chair in the cage-side commentary booth– Joe Rogan. The mainstay commentator continued his connection to the UFC after his fighting career as he appeared as a backstage interviewer in 1997 for UFC-12. But now, while he “Loves working for the UFC,” he made it clear he will be a no-show for any event outside of the American soil. Interestingly, this pattern didn’t begin with his “I don’t go to Canada anymore” confession.

In fact, it took root when the entire world was on lockdown due to the COVID-19 and the UFC still continued to stage Dana White’s “Fight Island” promotion in Abu Dhabi. When White asked him to take the spot, the Jack of all trades, Rogan, knew “That’s a giant commitment” and preferred not to go where he couldn’t even leave his hotel room. Since then, he has been avoiding international events, preferring his Fight Champion series on his podcast. And UFC? It’s been finding swaps for him. So even though this would be the club’s first-ever event in Azerbaijan, Rogan did not budge. Additionally, UFC’s Team A will also be missing Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik for personal reasons. So, who makes up Team B, you ask?

For most events where Rogan doesn’t appear, Michael Bisping has become a familiar face. Along with him in “Team B” are Dominick Cruz and Paul Felder, who, as per The Count, “All want to do the pay-per-views.” And as per the latest update on their commentary situation for the Baku debut, we have everything all set.

As per MMA Orbit’s latest Instagram post, “🚨| The #UFCBaku commentary team will be the trio of Brendan Fitzgerald, Michael Bisping, and Paul Felder. 🇦🇿🎤 [first rep. @MMAJunkie]” Not having Rogan, DC, or Jon Anik as the $12B worth UFC makes history with the first-ever event in Baku, Azerbaijan, is truly a disappointment. But we can certainly look up to the JRE Fight Companion for the 57-year-old commentator’s opinions.

The JRE host invites a few guests to the podcast studio and goes live with Fight Companion. But what if he had to choose between hosting the Fight Companion podcast and commentating at international events?

Home turf or away ground? Joe Rogan chooses between live UFC commentary and JRE Fight Companion

While watching UFC 297 along with Eddie Bravo, Joey Diaz, and Brendan Schaub on a January 2024 episode of JRE Fight Companion, the beloved UFC color commentator weighed in on the aforementioned choice. He said, “I love working for the UFC, but I love this more. If they came to me and they said, ‘No more fight companion,’ it’s one or the other, I’m like, ‘Hey, it’s been a great time, guys. It’s been wonderful. I love you, I love going to fights, I will buy tickets.’” Yes, he’d rather quit commentating than shut down Fight Companion.

However, the JRE host seemed to forfeit his rule regarding international events when it came to Spain. During JRE MMA Show episode #166, Ilia Topuria forced Rogan to address his rule once again. ‘El Matador’ pointed out that Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium has a capacity of 80K, and the roof can be closed to accommodate an environment suitable for the UFC, as Dana White prefers.

That nudged Joe Rogan in the right direction. Even though he hasn’t attended any international UFC events for more than a year, UFC Spain attracted him with a different light. He said, “You get 80,000 in Spain easy, too. If you’re fighting in Spain—oh my god, that would be insane. I might have to go to Spain for that.”

But UFC Baku doesn’t have the appeal of a Spanish stadium. And it wasn’t just Rogan who was out of the commentary team. Cormer and Anik also opted out. The result? Commentary Team B will now handle the broadcasting of UFC Fight Night: Hill. vs. Rountree Jr. Will the trio be able to handle things as efficiently as Team A?