In a recent revelation by UFC head honcho Dana White, it turns out that Joe Rogan’s journey with the UFC had humble beginnings, with Rogan initially commentating on events without any financial compensation.
Joe Rogan’s presence has become synonymous with the Ultimate Fighting Championship over the years. As a cornerstone figure in the promotion, his commentary has resonated deeply with fans, and there’s no sign of him stepping away from the mic anytime soon.
Rogan’s connection with the UFC dates back to its early days, fostering a strong bond with UFC CEO Dana White along the way.
UFC CEO Dana White on Joe Rogan Working for Free
During a recent appearance on a podcast, White shared insights into Rogan’s unwavering loyalty to the UFC.
“Joe Rogan was talking about how bad ass UFC fighters were and what they would really do to some of these karate guys that were in movies and s*** like that. I was like man, this guy knows what he’s talking about. He’s smart, he’s funny, he’s articulate. So, I reached out to Rogan. At that time I think it was on the internet, we started talking and I asked him if he would like to work for us and be a commentator.”
“If you look at where the UFC was at that time, we were losing money like crazy. We bought it for $2 million which sounds like a great story now, we ended up being almost $40 million in the hole before we turned it around. But Joe Rogan did like the first 12 or 13 shows for free. He said f*** yeah, I’ll come there and do it and sit in the best seats in the house and everything else. So, Joe and I have been super close friends for a very long time. I would do anything for Joe Rogan.”
Rogan’s dedication to the UFC, even in its most challenging times, underscores his commitment to the sport and his genuine passion for its success.
Would you expect anything less from Joe Rogan to commentate UFC events for free? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
