Rogan: Non-UFC Fighters ‘Wasting Their Career’

Joe Rogan wants to see everyone under one roof in mixed martial arts (MMA).

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has long been MMA’s most prominent promotion since its creation in 1993. 30s years later that sentiment remains true, but several others have come and gone over that time and attempted to leave a mark. As 2024 draws near, organizations like Professional Fighters League (PFL), RIZIN Fighting Federation, and ONE Championship, to name a few, hold their places for fighters around the globe.

Despite each holding claims to having some of the best talent on the planet, the longtime color commentator, Rogan, can’t help but question how worthwhile it is for the UFC outsiders.

“No disrespect to the other organizations, there’s very good fighters in the other organizations, but I often feel like they’re wasting their career,” Rogan said on his Joe Rogan Experience podcast (h/t MMA Junkie). “Because I see these elite fighters that are fighting in Bellator or PFL, and I’m like, ‘Hey, guys, no one’s watching.’

“I mean, some people are watching. You’re getting a little bit of a fanbase,” he added. “I don’t want to disrespect. But, there’s a reality. There’s the XFL and there’s the CFL, then there’s the f—king NFL. And if you’re not in the f—king NFL, are you really playing football?”

To close out 2023, PFL made a big move to change the MMA landscape as a whole with its acquisition of Bellator last month (Nov. 20, 2023). How much the combination of rosters can increase PFL’s brand will be determined in 2024 as Bellator events are expected to carry on at least for that year, starting potentially with champion vs. champion fights.

There have been crossovers from fighters departing UFC to either Bellator or PFL in recent years, but little has gone in the other direction (unless you’re Michael “Venom” Page).

“If you’re the UFC champ, you’re the f—king man.” Rogan said. “If you’re the Bellator champ, I respect the s—t out of those guys. I love them. Guys like Johnny Eblen. I really wish that guy would come to the UFC.

“There’s this feeling of being in the UFC that everyone dreams of,” he concluded. “You want Bruce Buffer right in front of you going, ‘It’s time!’ And you’re like, ‘Holy s—t.’”