Donald Trump reacts to Joe Rogan's endorsement, UFC alum comments on Imane Khelif report, and more: MMA News Roundup
UFC commentator and podcaster Joe Rogan surprised fans by finally putting forth his endorsement for the 2024 presidency on the eve of the elections, to which the former U.S. president reacted. Elsewhere, a former fighter weighed in on a new medical report about boxer Imane Khelif.
Catch up with today's top combat sports updates with Sportskeeda MMA.
Donald Trump reacts to Joe Rogan's endorsement
On the eve of the 2024 U.S. presidential elections, Joe Rogan finally confirmed that he was endorsing Donald Trump over Kamala Harris. Rogan's tweet making the endorsement official came after his latest podcast episode featuring Elon Musk as the guest.
Trump was on the stage giving a speech at a rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, reportedly his last stop before the Nov. 5 elections. Reacting to the surprising development, Trump said to the crowd:
"Oh wow, I have some more big news... So, someone that's very, very respected, asked me to do his show two weeks ago and I said, 'Why not?' And to me, he's very big, because he's the biggest there is... His name is Joe Rogan, and he's never done this before. It just came over the wires that Joe Rogan just endorsed me... Thank you, Joe."
The former president later thanked the UFC commentator personally in a video posted on his social media accounts:
"He's a fantastic guy. It was a great honor to receive it. Thank you, Joe, very much."
Jake Shields reacts to new medical report claiming Imane Khelif is a male
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, whose gender was questioned and became a raging topic of debate during the Paris Olympics, once again faces scrutiny over a leaked medical report. The report alleged that the 25-year-old has internal testicles and an XY chromosome makeup which means she was not eligible to take part in women's sports.
The controversy surrounding her 46-second win over Italy's Angela Carini stemmed from her suspension by the IBA in 2023 after failing a gender eligibility test. Despite the ban, she was allowed to compete in Paris and went on to win a gold medal in the 66 kg final.
Many athletes, including several UFC fighters and MMA personalities, spoke up against her participation. Some of them later apologized when it came to light that she was reportedly biologically female. Algeria dismissed the claims, labeling them "baseless propaganda."
But the leaked report, assessed by French journalist Djaffar Ait Aoudia, says that Khelif suffers from 5-alpha reductase deficiency, a sexual development disorder found in genetic males.
The report includes an MRI report that claims Khelif lacks a uterus and chromosome tests show her testosterone levels within the typical male range. While the report is yet to be authenticated, former UFC fighter Jake Shields already took to X to give his reaction:
"It crazy how many people believed that this was a female."
Stipe Miocic regrets Francis Ngannou's UFC exit
Stipe Miocic is undoubtedly one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of all time. If he retires after fighting Jon Jones at UFC 309, he will leave behind a Hall of Fame-worthy legacy.
Despite the decorated resume, Miocic harbors a little bit of disappointment about not getting to avenge his knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in his last outing. 'The Predator' finished him in the first minute of the second round at UFC 260, sending Miocic into a 3.5-year hiatus that is to break this month.
Speaking with MMA Fighting's Damon Martin, Miocic shed light on whether he is disappointed about not getting the rematch with Ngannou leaving the UFC:
"Of course. You know, because I wanted the same. I understand he's doing better for himself and his family. I'm not mad at him—he's doing great.”
Miocic also weighed in on Ngannou's boxing matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Take a look at Stipe Miocic's comments below (4:35):