MMA Knockout

Joe Rogan reveals he passed up podcast with Kamala Harris to watch UFC 308

Joe Rogan couldn't bear to miss one of last year's most highly-anticipated UFC fights, even if it meant missing out on part of U.S. history
Zain Bando|
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

From an MMA standpoint, UFC commentator Joe Rogan has his priorities straight.

Rogan A Regular Fixture of UFC Commentary Team

Rogan, a member of the UFC broadcast team as a color commentator since UFC 37.5 in 2002, has scaled back his broadcast work since Mike Goldberg's departure at the end of 2016. At present, the long-time martial arts enthusiast only covers domestic pay-per-view events each year and is no longer assigned to every event.

Jon Jones teases massive announcement, UFC fans hoping for Tom Aspinall fight

UFC president Dana White with Joe Rogan during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena.
UFC president Dana White with Joe Rogan during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

It is a personal preference for Rogan, who has a plethora of other business ventures outside of MMA but makes time to react to fights he isn't present for (i.e., UFC 312 this Saturday) in the form of a "JRE Fight Companion" podcast, allowing the stand-up commedian to discuss the action without editorial oversight.

UFC announcer Joe Rogan during the ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC 300 at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
UFC announcer Joe Rogan during the ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC 300 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Rogan, whose guests have ranged from U.S. President Donald Trump to comedian Joey Diaz, was highly pursuing a would-be global interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris in the weeks leading up to last year's presidential election.

Missed Opportunity To Interview Harris

Except there was a small, yet important, issue and personal obligation: last October's UFC 308 pay-per-view event from Abu Dhabi fell in the same window Harris' team was available to speak with Rogan.

"They wanted to do it Saturday, the day after Trump's [interview]," Rogan recalled Harris' team saying. "The reason why [I could not accomodate her] was because I had a podcast that was already scheduled, a live UFC podcast."

Rogan went onto explain his position further, adding he did all he could to accommodate Harris' availability but made it clear to them he couldn't interview her while the fights were in progress.

Alex Pereira’s weight reveal stuns UFC fans just one month before UFC 313

Aljamain Sterling talks with Joe Rogan during weigh-ins for UFC 273 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Aljamain Sterling talks with Joe Rogan during weigh-ins for UFC 273 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Stadium. | David Yeazell-Imagn Images

Neither reached an agreement, and weeks later Harris was no longer running against Trump in her eventual loss.

As for Rogan, he clarified no hard feelings toward her and wish it had worked out. Nevertheless, it didn't.

More UFC & MMA News

• What’s next for Dana White? UFC President talks retirement plans

• Khamzat Chimaev takes nasty shot at Sean Strickland, deceased father

• Injury forces two-time champion out of retirement fight at UFC Seattle

• Ilia Topuria eyes UFC superfight with No. 1 pound-for-pound Islam Makhachev

Stick with MMA Knockout for more daily coverage of the UFC, MMA, and Boxing.

Follow MMA Knockout on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Published
Zain Bando
ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer & columnist for Gameday Media's MMA Knockout, expanding his portfolio as a Staff Writer for Dallas Wings On SI with previous in-network contributions around the echosystem. Outside of covering fights, Bando's background includes Big Ten football and men's basketball with leans toward Illinois and Northwestern with a broader league view for bylines including The Sporting News, FanSided, Men's Journal and others since 2019. Bando can be reached at zainbando99@gmail.com or via his social media accounts @zainbando99.

Share on XFollow @zainbando99
Home/News