Did Joe Rogan ever fight in the UFC?

While many will recognize Joe Rogan from his podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience”, Rogan has been a household name within the MMA community for quite some time. Folks unfamiliar with his work as a UFC commentator are often surprised to learn that the man who wears the hat of podcaster, comedian, and former "Fear-Factor” host, has such a deep understanding of MMA. Naturally, these same folks might wonder if he's ever fought in the UFC.

Rogan is a legitimate martial artist and has worked for the UFC since UFC 12, however, he has never competed in the UFC, or any mixed martial arts contest, for that matter. He has competed in Taekwondo, holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and trains in a variety of martial arts. 

The 55-year-old’s relationship with the UFC far outdates his days of podcasting. Prior to launching his podcast, Rogan had been honing his skills on the microphone both as a comedian and also as a UFC employee. His first event working for the UFC was at UFC 12, in which he worked as a backstage interviewer. Rogan would later earn a role as a color commentator starting at UFC 37. The rest, as they say, is history.

Joe Rogan almost fought Wesley Snipes

It’s worth noting that while Rogan may have never competed in the UFC, he did come close to competing in an MMA fight back in 2005. His potential opponent, you ask? Actor Wesley Snipes. Yes, the “Fear-Factor guy” and “Blade” were really going to duke it out inside a cage. Could you imagine?

Over the last several years, Rogan has become one of the most listened-to voices in the entire world. His appreciation for the sport of MMA, combined with his technical understanding of several different martial arts disciplines, is at the core of what has made him so successful as a UFC commentator.