The debate between boxing and MMA has raged on for years, dividing combat sports fans who passionately argue which one reigns supreme. Even the promoters of these sports have not been immune to their feuds. While some may believe this debate is a recent phenomenon, it’s a rivalry as old as the sport. But which one’s better?

Decades ago, a memorable and somewhat comical incident took place involving Joe Rogan, well before his rise to stardom and before the UFC became the global phenomenon it is today. It all began when a boxing promoter made the bold assertion that the UFC paled in comparison to the sport of boxing. Let’s journey back in time to explore the entertaining exchange that unfolded between them.

The moment when Joe Rogan targeted the entire Boxing world

It all happened way back in the 2000s era when UFC was just making inroads into the world of sports entertainment. At the time, the sports entertainment sector was dominated by boxing promotions and the inception of a new promotion that focused on mixed martial arts was a far-fetched idea for the boxing heavyweights.

Joe Rogan, who was a new face at that time, was invited to an event on live television where he was to debate against the glamorous boxing promoter Lou Dibella. The comical incident happened when the host asked Dibella what his opinion on UFC and Dibella said “It’s sort of like human cockfighting in my view.”

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Dibella’s response triggered the UFC commentator and Rogan, in a fiery mood, shot a series of words at Dibella. “There’s so many aspects of boxing that are really ineffective, that don’t really work in a real fight,” said Joe Rogan. Dibella later tried to counter Rogan but failed in his attempt. In the end, Rogan’s statement was a mic-drop moment for him.

Rogan said “You don’t know me, and you don’t know what I’m a fan of, you boxing guys. “It’s human cockfighting.” What you don’t understand is that your sport is getting swallowed. It’s getting swallowed by a greater efficient, more spectacular sport. It’s not BS; it’s slowly getting swallowed. The famous people that you have right now are the only famous people that are going to exist in the future for boxing.” 

Compared to the current scenario, Rogan’s statements were true at that time and it would not be wrong to state that Rogan was the first one to come to the defense of the MMA community. Time went by but Rogan’s words might be true as we witnessed it in the current Francis Ngannou vs Tyson Fury matchup.

Rogan calls out boxing promoters for cheating

The ‘Battle of the Baddest’ event is a controversial one. Francis Ngannou showcased the masterclass of MMA boxing but was defeated by Tyson Fury on the scorecards. Joe Rogan, upon witnessing the match, was enraged by the fact that Ngannou was not given the win. Rogan added that it was rather the corruption in the world of boxing that defeated Ngannou than Fury.

While having a conversation on his podcast, he said ” So look at the count, 1, 2, 3,… He got up to the count of 10 but its 22 seconds before they re-engage. Boxing is a dirty business. There’s always one judge that’s in the bag. If they are not absolutely paid off, at the very least, they are deeply indebted to the promoters.” 

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What’s your opinion on Joe Rogan’s statement about the world of boxing? Tell us in the comments below.

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