What Joe Rogan has said about UFC White House event

Rogan defends the fighter who beat Derrick Lewis at the White House, saying his divisive persona is a deliberate pro-wrestling-style act.

“This is an act that he does, like a pro wrestling act”

The Joe Rogan Experience: #2523 - Ali Siddiq (Jul 7, 2026) · Listen from 42:59

Rogan reported being told that around 150 million people had watched the White House card in some form.

“they were telling me that they thought it was probably 150 million people had watched it in some form”

The Joe Rogan Experience: #2522 - Tony Hinchcliffe (Jul 2, 2026) · Listen from 1:03:37

Rogan suggests Topuria's loss to Gaethje may benefit him, arguing losses teach fighters they are beatable.

“I think sometimes a loss is like one of the most important things a fighter can ever have”

The Joe Rogan Experience: #2517 - Taylor Sheridan (Jun 23, 2026) · Listen from 2:41:27

Rogan argues the White House event and Gaethje's upset win surpass historic fights like the Rumble in the Jungle.

“This is more historic than Rumble in the Jungle”

The Joe Rogan Experience: JRE MMA Show #181 with Justin Gaethje & Trevor Wittman (Jun 20, 2026) · Listen from 50:50

Rogan calls the White House card the greatest night of fights ever, noting every bout ended by knockout.

“It was the greatest night of fights of all time. And it was the only night in the history of the sport where every single fight ended by a knockout”

The Joe Rogan Experience: #2515 - Chase Hughes (Jun 17, 2026) · Listen from 22:02

Rogan notes Justin Gaethje won the main event as a heavy betting underdog.

“Because the guy that won it, Justin Gaethje, was in many books a 6-1 underdog, which is crazy odds”

The Joe Rogan Experience: #2515 - Chase Hughes (Jun 17, 2026) · Listen from 25:19

Rogan says championship fights should be held in controlled indoor environments, while acknowledging the event will be spectacular.

“I think they should be fighting indoors always. I think world championship fights at the highest level should be fought in a controlled environment. That said, it's going to be sick”

The Joe Rogan Experience: #2514 - Cameron Hanes (Jun 12, 2026) · Listen from 1:00:36

Rogan called a UFC fight on the White House lawn quintessentially American while worrying about heat, bugs and rain outdoors.

“there's no more American thing than having a UFC fight on the White House lawn”

The Joe Rogan Experience: JRE MMA Show #180 with Daniel Rodriguez (Jun 2, 2026) · Listen from 57:52

Rogan suggested Ilia Topuria could be remembered as the greatest fighter of all time.

“It's very possible that he goes down in history as the all-timer”

The Joe Rogan Experience: JRE MMA Show #180 with Daniel Rodriguez (Jun 2, 2026) · Listen from 58:24

Rogan objects to holding world championship fights outdoors, as planned at the White House.

“I just don't think that you should compete in a world championship fight in a non-controlled environment”

The Joe Rogan Experience: JRE MMA Show #179 with Josh Thompson & "Big" John McCarthy (May 27, 2026) · Listen from 2:29:39