Who would have thought that Joe Rogan would be one of the biggest critics of the big UFC Freedom 250 fights at the White House on Sunday June 14th?
There’s certainly been a lot of pushback from many in mainstream media circles decrying the decision to hold mixed martial arts fights on the South Lawn. But Rogan is the UFC’s own play-by-play commentator, so it’s a bit harder to ignore his opinions on the subject.
Past negative comments have revolved around the idea of doing the event during a war with
Iran and forcing fighters to compete outside where it could be hot or wet or inundated with bugs. In the latest episode of The Joe Rogan Experience with Harland Williams, Rogan once again voiced those thoughts.
“There’s going to be a UFC on the White House lawn,” Rogan said. “That seems like a good safe place to be, huh? Everyone’s going to know where all the world leaders are going to be. We’re all going to be stuck sitting in that spot for six hours calling fights. Super safe. I feel completely safe.”
When the conflict between the U.S. and Iran started, there were multiple ‘decapitation strikes’ launched against Iran’s leadership that killed many of the country’s top political and military officials. While Iran has shown no sign they intend to strike the United States directly, Rogan clearly sees what a ripe target the event could be.
His main objection, though, comes down to adding unnecessary chaos to important fights that could affect the careers of some of the best athletes in the sport today.
“I do not like it because it’s outside,” Rogan declared. “And I think world championship fights should be in a controlled environment out of respect for the athletes and how difficult it is to compete professionally in a world title.”
“However, I should say, however, it’s going to be a spectacle,” he added. “Whether I was there or not, I would be watching, 100%. I think it’s awesome that Trump, this is one of the things that I like about him, he’s like, ‘F–k it. Let’s do it.’ He puts on cage fights on the White House lawn. That’s nuts.”
“He does wild s–t. I like that. I like that part. I don’t like the Iran war thing, but I like that.”
