Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey recently shared a candid view of Joe Rogan’s martial arts background during an appearance on episode 700 of comedian Bert Kreischer’s Bertcast. When Rogan’s name came up, Rousey didn’t hold back, openly questioning his credibility as a fight analyst.
“He wouldn’t know,” Rousey said about Rogan’s ability to judge her fighting skills. “He’s not an expert, he’s a fan with an audience… He never fought, [taekwondo] is not fighting.”
Rousey’s comment quickly made waves across MMA circles, as Rogan has long been one of the sport’s most recognizable voices. Though never a professional MMA fighter, Rogan began his martial arts training as a teenager and found success in taekwondo, even capturing the US Open Championship at age 19. He later became a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Jean Jacques Machado, a respected ADCC Hall of Famer.
Ronda Rousey fired shots at Joe Rogan 😬
“He’s not an expert, he’s a fan with an audience. He’s never fought. Taekwondo is not fighting.” pic.twitter.com/CTuEi0Q7zM
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) October 30, 2025
Joe Rogan’s UFC Legacy Beyond the Cage
Rogan’s connection to the UFC dates back to 1997, when he first appeared as a backstage interviewer at UFC 12. Over the years, he evolved into the organization’s leading color commentator, pairing sharp technical insight with a passionate tone that helped shape the UFC’s modern broadcast identity.
Though Rogan now limits his appearances to major U.S. pay-per-view cards, his voice remains a staple of fight nights and a familiar sound to millions of MMA fans worldwide.
Despite her critique, Rousey did not question Rogan’s enthusiasm or his role in promoting the sport — rather, she highlighted the difference between being an observer and being a fighter who’s lived through the intensity of the Octagon.
From Octagon Pioneer to Pro Wrestling Star
Widely regarded as a trailblazer for women’s MMA, Rousey made the jump to mixed martial arts in 2011 after a celebrated judo career, where she won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Within a year of her MMA debut, she became Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion, defeating Miesha Tate and later defending her title with a quick submission win over Sarah Kaufman.
When the UFC absorbed Strikeforce, Rousey became the first female champion in UFC history. She went on to defend her title six times, all by finish, cementing herself as one of the sport’s biggest attractions.
Her dominant run ended in 2015 after a shocking knockout loss to Holly Holm, followed by a TKO defeat to Amanda Nunes in 2016. Afterward, Rousey left MMA to pursue professional wrestling, achieving success in WWE before announcing her retirement in 2024.
Now 38, Rousey says she has no interest in stepping back into combat sports. During her chat with Kreischer, she reflected on her legacy and current lifestyle.
“I have everything I want,” Rousey said. “There’s nothing that would really change my lifestyle. If you said a billion dollars, I would do it. … A billion dollars. See? I’m really good at negotiation.”
Rousey has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent years, though fans recently saw training footage of her that sparked brief speculation about a return — something she quickly dismissed.
Published on October 31, 2025 at 8:54 am
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