Joe Rogan demands major changes in UFC contract regulations to prevent "sanctioned cheating" and weight-cutting red flags
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan strongly believes that adverse weight-cutting tactics in combat sports are "sanctioned cheating." He has consistently shed light on the dangerous implications of weight-cutting in MMA, even referencing former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira fighting in the 185-pound bracket to highlight the issue.
In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, the 57-year-old argued that fighters should compete at their natural weights. More often than not, fighters endure the grueling process of weight-cutting to preserve an upper hand in fights. Over the years, several fighters have endured the consequences of the practice, which often lead to severe dehydration and health risks.
Speaking about the issue alongside MMA veterans John Rallo, Matt Serra, and Din Thomas, Rogan proposed the idea of same-day weigh-ins and establishing new weight classes. He said:
"What they should do is just find out what you actually f*cking weigh and just stop this nonsense. It should be looked at the same way steroids are looked at. It should be looked at the same way all other kind of cheating is looked at. It's sanctioned cheating. And more options for weight classes."
Rogan added:
"I think you should make a contractual obligation to like fight each other. You find out what a person weighs... So if they [testing officials] show up you say to a guy, 'Look we're going to test you at the weight that you're going to fight at. So you can't get any higher than this and we're going to make sure that you're not dehydrated."
Check out the full discussion below (1:35:40):
When Joe Rogan accused Alex Pereria of sanctioned cheating after UFC 281 win
Alex Pereira dethroned Israel Adesanya at UFC 281 to capture the UFC middleweight championship in only his fourth fight for the organization.
Pereira looked significantly bigger than Adesanya in the clash, which according to Joe Rogan, is "sanctioned cheating." Speaking to Steve-O regarding rumors that 'Poatan' weighed in at 220 pounds for the fight, he said:
"He [Alex Pereira] could have been, he could have been. I mean, he certainly, he gets above that in between fights, and he has a hard time making 185 [pounds]. It's a bullsh*t thing. It's basically sanctioned cheating, it really is, but everybody does it. But Izzy [Israel Adesanya] does it [cutting weight]. When Izzy went up to fight Jan Błachowicz at light heavyweight, he weighed 194 [pounds], which is crazy, because Błachowicz is a giant light heavyweight."
Check out Joe Rogan's comments below (11:00):