Most controversial takes by UFC stars on gun control in the United States
The UFC has never been far removed from politics, whether it's the promotions president, Dana White, flaunting the benefits of his friendship with former American president Donald Trump or the UFC fighters expressing their controversial political views on a multitude of topics. Colby Covington, for example, potentially saved his own career in MMA's top-tier promotion by playing a politically charged caricature of himself to draw attention and generate interest in his bouts.
Other UFC stars — whether they are active or retired, fighters or otherwise — have used their platforms not in an effort to generate hype for upcoming fights or events, but to express their political beliefs to a wider audience. Oftentimes, those beliefs are controversial in nature.
Few topics garner as much political commentary from UFC figures as gun violence in the United States. This list explores five UFC stars who have expressed controversial takes on the debate surrounding gun control.
#5. Joe Rogan
Legendary UFC commentator, comedian, and former "Fear Factor" host Joe Rogan is the owner of the world's most popular podcast. "The Joe Rogan Experience" has led to various guests from a multitude of industries, fields, and walks of life sharing their views on their various areas of expertise. However, from hosting a podcast that has made him a hundred-millionaire, Rogan has amassed one of the largest internet followings of any celebrity.
Watch the entire episode for discussions on possible solutions to mass shooting, the effects of tougher gun control laws, mental health checks and much more.
The Joe Rogan Experience
Ep. 1831 - Colion Noir
@MrColionNoir @joerogan
Episode references: instagram.com/thejrecompanion https://t.co/2abNy0ZN9Q
"Watch the entire episode for discussions on possible solutions to mass shootings" - The JRE Companion
Rogan's voice is known to millions, possibly billions, around the world. Thus, his own opinions on certain topics can be damaging when they're shared on public platforms like his own podcast. In the wake of rising gun violence in the United States, Joe Rogan took to his podcast to express his own views on the matter.
While the UFC commentator recognized the tragic nature of the United States' recent history with mass shootings, he also diminished the impact that the 2004 expiration of gun laws that prevented the purchase of automatic rifles and extended ammo clips had. Rogan voiced his belief that the issue of American mass shootings is due to a mental health problem, while discounting the role that the easy availability of automatic firearms plays in these tragedies.