Revisiting UFC production team's blunder during Joe Rogan's interview as new backstage details on Dana White's fury emerge
New details have seemingly emerged regarding an infamous Joe Rogan octagon interview that infuriated then-UFC president (now-UFC CEO and president) Dana White. At UFC 175 on July 5, 2014, 'Rowdy' Ronda Rousey defended her UFC women's bantamweight championship by defeating Alexis Davis via first-round KO.
A redacted version of Rousey's UFC 175 post-fight octagon interview is available on the UFC's official YouTube channel. The deleted footage, however, is still available online. As seen in the footage, Rogan referred to the UFC 176 headliner, the Jose Aldo-Chad Mendes rematch, booked to transpire in California on Aug. 2, 2014, that fell apart.
Rogan asserted that someone from the production team asked him to ask Rousey if she'll fight on Aug. 2. 'Rowdy' seemed willing. Many expected her to fight then-archrival Bethe Correia. A visibly irate Dana White immediately intervened and spoke to Rousey and Rogan.
Watch the incident below:
During the UFC 175 post-fight press conference, Dana White clarified that he wasn't angry at Joe Rogan who wasn't at fault. White deemed it "the biggest idiotic move" in the UFC production team's history, noting that someone from the production team instructed Rogan to ask that question.
Watch White's assessment below (10:33):
For context, the UFC 176 event ended up being canceled, and the Aldo-Mendes rematch took place at UFC 179 in Oct. 2014.
Well, ex-UFC star Chael Sonnen recently referenced the ordeal on his YouTube channel. He recalled Rousey being interviewed by Joe Rogan, who asked her whether she'll fight approximately five weeks later in California.
Sonnen suggested that the UFC generally allows its top stars to call out fighters they feel would be interesting opponents. Recalling the backstage atmosphere, Sonnen stated:
"And Joe did ask. And Ronda was like, 'Yeah. I'm sure I get...' It kind of caught her off guard, but she was cool. Everybody did what they were supposed to. Dana was pi**ed. Dana White was pi**ed. He said it -- behind the scenes -- if you were there and you saw who he went over and engaged with."
Check out Sonnen's comments below (6:50):
Ronda Rousey's differences with Joe Rogan
Olympic bronze medalist Judoka Ronda Rousey hasn't competed in MMA since Dec. 2016. She subsequently featured in the WWE before departing the organization in 2023.
Earlier this year, Rousey lambasted the MMA media, including Rogan, as she believes they "turned on her" after her defeats to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. She also cited the neurological damage from the concussions she suffered during her fighting career, and ruled out a return to MMA and/or pro wrestling.
Rousey and Dana White are known to still share a respectful relationship. White recently waxed lyrical about 'Rowdy,' notably including her in his Mount Rushmore of MMA greats.
Furthermore, Joe Rogan still serves as a UFC color commentator, albeit with a lighter schedule. He's viewed as a podcast mogul, courtesy of his JRE (Joe Rogan Experience) podcast. Rogan has often highlighted that the latter part of Rousey's MMA career was rife with the pitfalls of superstardom, but she's one of the greats regardless.
Watch Rogan discuss Rousey's career below: