“Why is He Still on?” – Joe Rogan Ripped for Lazy Commentary at UFC 316 After Major Blunders

UFC commentator Joe Rogan makes multiple mistakes while commentating at UFC 316 featuring Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley.

“Why is He Still on?” – Joe Rogan Ripped for Lazy Commentary at UFC 316 After Major Blunders

Joe Rogan gets criticized for his mistakes at UFC 316 (via Imago/X)

UFC 316 was a huge event that entertained fans with incredible action-packed fights inside the Prudential Center in New Jersey. The main event featured Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili in a highly anticipated bantamweight showdown. However, one of the night’s most controversial moments involved UFC veteran Joe Rogan’s questionable and heavily criticized commentary.

Rogan was extremely hyped for UFC 316 and repeatedly discussed the main event with excitement across his widely followed podcast episodes. He was joined at the broadcast table by Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik, forming UFC’s most consistent commentary trio. However, during the live commentary, Rogan made several noticeable errors that immediately drew criticism and mockery from hardcore MMA fans.

During the co-main event, Rogan incorrectly referred to Kayla Harrison as a double Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, which is false. Harrison actually won two Olympic gold medals in Judo, earning them in the 2012 and 2016 games, not in wrestling. Apart from the commentary error, Harrison secured a dominant submission win over Julianna Pena to capture the women’s bantamweight title.

In the main event, O’Malley was confident about beating Dvalishvili in this rematch and he was both physically and mentally in top condition. However, it didn’t work as the fighter got subbed by the ‘Machine’ in the third round, ending his title dreams. Rogan mentioned, ”If Sean had Charles Olivera’s Jiu Jitsu, I could see him potentially subbing Merab from his back, but he’s not.”

This kind of comment is disappointing from Rogan, especially given his long experience and reputation as a veteran UFC commentator. Fans expect accuracy and insight, not glaring factual errors during high-stakes fights with championship implications on the line. Over the years, Rogan has faced criticism for frequent small mistakes and accusations of showing favoritism toward certain fighters.

Fight fans react to Joe Rogan’s commentary mistakes at UFC 316

Joe Rogan’s commentary legacy is deeply rooted in the UFC, shaping how fans experience fights with his passionate, animated style. He offers a unique mix of technical knowledge and emotional intensity that has elevated countless iconic UFC moments over the years. While the popular podcaster has faced criticism for occasional bias or factual errors, his contribution to the sport remains undeniable.

Joe Rogan with Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik
Joe Rogan with Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik (via MMA Fighting)

Rogan’s voice is now part of MMA history, forever linked to the UFC’s rise and unforgettable Octagon drama over the decades. In the early days of UFC, Rogan did commentary for free, which started his great working relationship with CEO Dana White. However, his legacy doesn’t help him from getting trolled for his constant mistakes in commentary.

As expected, many fans roasted Rogan for his negligence and blunders, even after years of experience. Many made some hilarious jokes in reference to his comments about Sean O’Malley not having a BJJ like Charles Oliveira. Others felt it was disrespectful for Rogan to not recognize Kayla Harrison’s judo record. Nevertheless, the popular personality will continue to call the PPVs as long as Dana White is around.

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