Joe Rogan Accused of ‘Being Unfair’ After Controversial UFC 316 Commentary Duty

Middleweight fighter Joe Pyfer calls out veteran Joe Rogan for his alleged biased commentary during his fight at UFC 316.

Joe Rogan Accused of ‘Being Unfair’ After Controversial UFC 316 Commentary Duty

Joe Rogan gets called out for his bad commentary (via Imago/X)

UFC 316 delivered nonstop action with thrilling matchups and dramatic finishes, including two title fights that captivated the energetic crowd. One memorable bout was Joe Pyfer versus Kelvin Gastelum, where Pyfer earned a unanimous decision victory in a closely contested scrap. Despite the win, Pyfer strongly disagreed with Joe Rogan’s commentary, believing the fight wasn’t as close as portrayed.

Pyfer showcased impressive composure and power, consistently pressuring Gastelum with clean counters and calculated combinations throughout the fight. ‘KG’ remained competitive, landing sharp flurries and leg kicks, but struggled to maintain control against Pyfer’s size and forward pressure. In a latest interview, Ariel Helwani and Pyfer discussed the commentary and the fighter made his opinions on Rogan clear.

Joe Rogan was a little hard on me. I just think the expectation is so high for me… I think they were a little bit unfair, as far as the reality of the fight. It was not a close fight. I was never in danger.

Joe Pyfer via The Ariel Helwani Show

It wasn’t the only incident that had fans annoyed with Rogan during UFC 316. During the fight, he made mistakes, including calling Kayla Harrison, an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, when she participated in judo. He also made comments such as “If Sean had Charles Olivera’s Jiu Jitsu, I could see him potentially subbing Merab from his back, but he’s not.”

Rogan has spent over two decades in the UFC, calling countless fights and significantly contributing to the sport’s mainstream rise. Initially working for free, Rogan’s dedication impressed Dana White, laying the foundation for their long-lasting professional relationship and mutual respect. He’s widely recognized as the iconic voice of the UFC, but his calls have become polarizing in recent times.

Rogan’s commentary has faced criticism for bias, especially towards wrestlers, and for making factual errors during broadcasts. Despite being a respected UFC figure, fans and fighters have occasionally called him out for misjudging fight dynamics or favoring certain styles. His outspoken nature adds to the controversy, making him both a beloved and polarizing figure in MMA commentary.

Joe Rogan talks about UFC 316 superstar Merab Dvalishvili

At UFC 316’s main event, Merab Dvalishvili submitted Sean O’Malley and defended his bantamweight title for the second consecutive time. O’Malley adjusted his game plan and tried using movement, but couldn’t handle Dvalishvili’s relentless pressure and overwhelming takedowns. With this win, the Georgian further cemented his dominance in the division and silenced doubts about his championship legitimacy.

Joe Rogan talks about Merab Dvalishvili's dominance in UFC
Joe Rogan talks about Merab Dvalishvili’s dominance in UFC (via X)

Following the bout, top contender Cory Sandhagen wasted no time and called out the reigning champion Dvalishvili for battle. Dvalishvili responded respectfully, acknowledging Sandhagen’s skills and promising to accept the challenge after taking a well-deserved short break. At the commentary table, analysts passionately dissected the bout while Joe Rogan also weighed in with his detailed analysis.

Cory Sandhagen is a very technical fighter. He’s going to formulate a game-plan he thinks will be the best-case scenario to deal with that ‘force of nature’. But, what do you do? You’re going to get tired. If you’re not that guy… everybody gets tired but him. It’s nuts. I know he says it’s just hard work’ but is it really? It is, but what level of hard work? How many hours?

Joe Rogan via UFC 316

With the win over O’Malley, Dvalishvili extended his win streak to thirteen, entering an elite club of UFC legends. His dominant run places him alongside names like Jon Jones and Georges St-Pierre, known for their remarkable consistency and greatness. He also surpassed both Jones and Ilia Topuria, claiming the prestigious #2 spot in the UFC pound-for-pound fighter rankings.

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