Dana White threatened to resign from UFC after Joe Rogan was demanded to be pulled off from commentary

Nearing the tricentennial card of epic proportions, bossman Dana White has been engaging in quite a few social media appearances. Alongside, he has also been consequently celebrating the journey of UFC. And the people who have been with him along the way. One such person is Joe Rogan, who he recently talked about at length in a recent appearance. The duo have been friends for years now.

The host of the prominent The Joe Rogan Experience has had his ups and downs. Demetrious Johnson may advise that Joe Rogan can be inspirational and say whatever he wants. But Rogan himself catches a lot of flak for it. However, White has stood by him whenever and wherever.

Appearing on the Lex Fridman Podcast Episode #421, here’s what he told the host about Rogan getting canceled:

Thank you [on compliments for standing by Rogan]. Anybody who is with me, has been with me, knows. When you’re with me, you’re with me. It’s a two-way street. I’m not one of these guys that is going to roll over and… It’s like going through COVID. I wasn’t laying any of these people. Some of these people have been with me for 20 years... Joe Rogan has been very loyal to me, and I’m very loyal to Joe Rogan.

Dana White on the Lex Fridman Podcast Episode #421

People have taken a liking to him on the mic as a play-by-play descriptive commentator. But Rogan’s run on his podcast wasn’t so smooth. ESPN’s “First Take” host Stephen A. Smith has sneered at his views on the Jan. 6th insurrection Capitol attack being a false flag. Additionally, the apparent spread of misinformation during the onslaught of COVID-19 got him in deep trouble with medical professionals.

Rogan was absent from his commentary duties for UFC 271 due to this COVID-19 misinformation. The usage of an “N-slur” resurfacing didn’t help matters any. Talking on the Fullsend Podcast, White defended him, on the global pandemic take and the consequent administering of vaccines. He had even instigated resigning if the cancellation came to be.

Dana White and Joe Rogan over the years

There is a running gag in the combat sports sphere, where non-fight fans often think Dana White and Joe Rogan are the same. However, apart from their patterned-baldness, they couldn’t be more distinctly famous. They have been close friends for years.

During a recent appearance with Lex Fridman, he talked about his friendship with Rogan. On the ‘Games with Names’ podcast, White had similarly told Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman that Rogan commentated for free during his first 10 or more appearances. He also nudged he would do anything for Joe Rogan. And that isn’t where their acquaintance ends.

The JRE MMA Show inked a new multiyear deal with Spotify reportedly worth around $250 million, but with stipulations. Appearing on the Fullsend Podcast with Bob Menery, he commended Rogan as deserving of the deal.

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek didn’t censor the JRE MMA Show, despite COVID-19 controversies. With 70 additional videos being recanted for this (and the usage of slurs), nothing else major came to be. Numerous artists who boycotted Spotify later returned to the streaming platform.

The UFC CEO appeared on the NELK Boys’ Fullsend Podcast, talking about Jake Paul. There, he similarly defended Rogan and his knowledge at length. White had mentioned the same sentiments to Barstool Sports back in 2018, on him being knowledgeable on a variety of topics.

Interestingly enough, the feeling is mutual. During the JRE MMA Show #1871, Rogan had put forward that he would leave UFC if Dana White ever did.

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