The podcaster and comedian says things appear to be looking up for a sport that surpassed its 30th birthday nearly two years ago \u2013 and continues to expand globally by the year.<\/p>\n
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Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UFC president Dana White (left) with Joe Rogan during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images \/ Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Rogan has called UFC fights Octagonside since 2002 with the likes of Mike Goldberg through Dec. 2016 and Jon Anik through present day beginning after UFC 207. Rogan served as a backstage analyst during the SEG era in the late 90s.<\/p>\n
“Through the roof,” Rogan said on “JRE”<\/a> regarding the elimination of pay-per-view with increased accessibility.<\/p>\n “And it’s a super smart move for Paramount,” Rogan said. “What a great move to not just have the UFC for seven years, but have it for free.”<\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC 319 prelim fights picks & predictions for Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev<\/a><\/p>\n Jan 22, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; A view of the ESPN logo before UFC 270 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images \/ Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Rogan says the sport’s potential for even more popularity growth is limitless.<\/p>\n “How much does it cost a month?” Rogan asked. “Let’s say it’s 10 bucks. That’s crazy. That’s a $120 a year, you could watch every UFC pay-per-view? Two UFC pay-per-views is, like, 140 bucks, right? Isn’t it? Aren’t they, like, $70? So you get all of them. Everything’s free? That’s incredible.”<\/p>\n Rogan said for any type of MMA fan, the more coverage regardless of what network the UFC gets coverage from is a big deal.<\/p>\n “Because I think that’s also a big factor in pulling people from casual viewers that watch other sports that might occasionally watch a UFC fight and then they see, like, Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway and they’re like, ‘Holy sh*t,’ and then they\u2019re hooked.”<\/p>\n Rogan said that as the UFC crosses over its content, using “SportsCenter” as a U.S. reach point draws more people in.<\/p>\n “It’s great. I’m kind of bummed out, and I hope they don’t lose the relationship that they had with ESPN with all their MMA shows,” Rogan said. “I hope they don’t go, like, ‘F*ck them, they went to Paramount.’ I hope it’s a mutually beneficial thing, like the UFC at least does some content still on ESPN.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, though, Rogan considers the agreement to be game-changing when all is said and done come next year.<\/p>\n “This sport is going to go f****** hypernova,” Rogan said.<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC 319 fighter owns one of the most devastating knockouts in MMA history<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC Champion Kayla Harrison could face the winner of this massive fight<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Earlier UFC start times for events coming soon?<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Dana White gives vague update on UFC fighter salary with new TV deal announcement<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n