Joe Rogan is like a modern-day Renaissance man. What has he not dabbled into? From comedy to acting ventures, and even podcasting, he’s a ‘Joe of all trades.’ The UFC color commentator was not always associated with Dana White’s promotion. He started his career as an actor in 1994, and then as a commentator for the UFC in 1997. But his true journey to fame and recognition came from Fear Factor. Fear Factor, as a TV show for Rogan, was better than the stints at Hardball and NewsRadio since he could be himself. Despite his success with Fear Factor, Rogan chose the UFC gig over hosting the show. But why?
Rogan candidly admitted his predicament on The Joe Rogan Experience #2219, expressing gratitude for the opportunity he got with the reality TV show, “Fear Factor was a great job, don’t get me wrong. Very happy that I got it. It was wonderful, it gave me f**k you money. It gave me the ability to do whatever I wanted, after that.
He then talked about what his true calling was, adding, “But was a thing where I was like, this is not what I wanna do. What I wanna do, is what I always do—just do stand up, and have fun. I was doing the UFC back then too. So I was like—do the UFC, commentary, things I love doing. I don’t wanna be doing just a job. Jobs are great, don’t get me wrong. Thankful, I got it. But at a certain point in time, if you wanna reach your full potential, you have to realize like, ‘This is holding me back.’
Rogan then spoke about how many people advised him against leaving a high-paying gig like Fear Factor. He acknowledged the magnitude of the show and even said that it was “a fun job.” Rogan admitted to having a great time on the show and meeting incredible people. Still, he knew at the back of his head that hosting the show was not what he wanted to do.
MMA: UFC 278- Albazi vs Figueiredo, Aug 20, 2022 Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Joe Rogan after the fight between Amir Albazi red gloves and Francisco Figueiredo blue gloves during UFC 278 at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports, 20.08.2022 17:42:50, 18903440, NPStrans, Joe Rogan, MMA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJeffreyxSwingerx 18903440
Despite having many interests; some of them jobs, Rogan said that he eventually figured out what his true calling was: “But once I figured it out I was like, ‘This is what I want to do.’ I wanted to do this and stand up and the UFC. Which is like to me its not even a job, it’s like a vacation.”
And finally, he tipped his hat to the job that he is most known for: “It’s an honor and I I feel like I do a good job at it and so and I like doing it and I’m super passionate about it and I don’t do it because it’s a job I do it because I love it like I don’t need to do it I could have quit a long time ago.”
Joe Rogan spent nearly 7 years with the reality TV show from 2001 to 2006 and then again when the famous show was revived in 2011. He got the fame and money but was he satisfied? Not at all. His heart lay elsewhere with the UFC and stand-up comedy. As mentioned above, he had a relationship with the UFC far before his stint with Fear Factor. His UFC stint began in 1997 but then he quit after 2 years because the money was not enough for him to travel for events.
But his love for the UFC called him back in 2002, with Dana White taking charge. The podcaster decided to join the organization doing 15 free gigs in exchange for prime event tickets for him and his friends. This is how much he loved MMA where he even sacrificed a well-paid gig for the UFC.
All this wouldn’t have been possible without the UFC CEO by his side! When the comedian and podcaster was accused of racism in 2022, Dana White stood firmly by his side and threatened to resign from his post as CEO. However, will Joe Rogan decide to stay back if Dana White retires one day?
Joe Rogan in a tough spot as Dina White Reveals his retirement plans
“I will never retire. Ever.” These were the words from the UFC head honcho just one month ago when he was speaking to Tucker Carlson. The boss man who made the company what it is today by working hard for almost 30 years does not see retirement in his dictionary. Truly, leaving your brainchild to someone else sounds nerve-racking right? Everyone is running on limited time and energy, so how much does Dana White have in the gas tank?
Well, this question haunted several reporters as well as they asked him about retirement at the UFC 313 post-fight press conference. The UFC head honcho had a shift in his answer from his previous ironclad stance. He said, “We’re gonna find out this year. This year is gonna be the, we are gonna find out this year, we’ll see how long I can run this hard. I’m on Gary Brecka.”
Dana White definitely has a lot on his plate right now, not only with the UFC, but with Power Slap and also a new venture in boxing. So clearly he has to pick and choose because even the toughest personalities succumb to Father Time. So what about Joe Rogan? Well, the duo is just like two peas in a pod and one cannot stay without the other. “If Dana leaves, I’m gone,” is what the UFC color commentator said.
So what do you think about Joe Rogan’s commitment to UFC? Do you think he will retire if Dana White suddenly does the same? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The post After Walking Away From Fear Factor’s ‘F–k You’ Money, Joe Rogan Claims He Could Have Quit UFC a ‘Long Time Ago’ appeared first on EssentiallySports.