Why doesn't Joe Rogan travel outside the U.S.A. for UFC pay-per-views? Reason explained
Joe Rogan is the linchpin of the UFC commentary team. Yet, the longtime broadcast booth member has cut back on the amount of events he covers. Not only does he not cover Fight Night events, but he is also selective about the pay-per-views he commentates for.
Now, he no longer works events that require him to travel outside of the United States of America. It is a blow to fans in the United Kingdom and the Middle East, who aren't given the privilege of enjoying a vintage Rogan experience whenever the promotion hosts a blockbuster event on non-American soil.
However, it is not a recent decision. In fact, Rogan first took the stance nearly a decade ago. With UFC 305 set to take place in Perth, Australia this Saturday, Rogan will be missing in action as usual, and he has his reasons for doing so.
Joe Rogan's UFC career didn't always involve commentating
While Joe Rogan has been working for the UFC since 1997, he wasn't always a staple in the commentary booth. He initially worked backstage, although he also conducted post-fight interviews, which he continues to do so to this day. Unfortunately, the pay he earned was too low, so he parted ways with the UFC.
Check out Rogan's first UFC broadcast appearance:
It was not until Zuffa purchased the promotion and introduced Dana White to the helm that the then-'Fear Factor' host made his return to the UFC. Thereafter, Rogan worked as a commentator and hasn't looked back since.
Why doesn't Joe Rogan travel outside the U.S.A. for UFC pay-per-views?
Joe Rogan is a man of many trades. He is a comedian, podcaster, fitness enthusiast, and amateur martial artist, among other occupations. He owns comedy clubs, helms his own specials, and stars in one of the world's most popular podcasts. For this reason, he has decided to cut back on his UFC commentating.
While he still professes a deep love for the sport of MMA, the sheer volume of work across various industries he engages in has led to scheduling conflicts with the UFC. Thus, Rogan not only decided that he would only commentate on events on American soil but also that he would only cover pay-per-views.