Is it even a fight night if Joe Rogan’s voice isn’t there to call the action? Whether it’s the roaring breakdowns inside the UFC arena or the wild tangents on his podcast, fans have long associated Rogan’s voice with all things MMA. But once again, the JRE podcaster is skipping an international event. This time, UFC 315 in Canada. And it’s not just a one-off. This is part of an old ritual that Rogan has religiously followed.
Damon Martin of MMA Fighting broke the news, confirming Rogan won’t make the trip north. “Listening to Joe Rogan’s Fight Companion podcast for #UFCLondon and he confirms that he won’t be calling #UFC315 in Canada in May. He doesn’t travel internationally but seemed like Canada was a possibility but nope.”
Martin posted on X (formerly Twitter). Quoting Rogan directly, he added, “I won’t be there. I don’t go to Canada anymore.”
Listening to Joe Rogan’s Fight Companion podcast for #UFCLondon and he confirms that he won’t be calling #UFC315 in Canada in May.
He doesn’t travel internationally but seemed like Canada was a possibility but nope:
“I won’t be there. I don’t go to Canada anymore.”
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) March 23, 2025
That’s right. Rogan isn’t just missing one event. He has pretty much erased international travel from his UFC commitments. Whether it’s London, Sydney, or Abu Dhabi, fans already know they won’t see him there. But why?
The answer dates back years. In 2016, when the UFC was sold to WME-IMG, Rogan made it clear he was cutting back on his travel. On The Joe Rogan Experience, he explained, “No more international travel, no more flying across the planet. If I go to Brazil, that’s five days out of my life and on top of that there’s the recovery time. The flying f—- with my head.”
It’s true. A lot goes behind the scenes when you create a UFC schedule. Sometimes, it may get taxing. Since then, the UFC has honored his wishes, rotating a fresh lineup of commentators every time the Octagon heads overseas.
Who fills the Joe Rogan void?
But if Rogan’s not there, who steps in? Enter the “B-team,” as Michael Bisping cheekily called it. When UFC heads abroad, the commentary desk gets a shake-up. At UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, Paul Felder took over alongside Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier. For UFC 312 in Australia, ‘The Count’ himself stepped up to replace Rogan.
Bisping, always one for straight talk, addressed the situation on the Jaxxon Podcast. “No, he doesn’t want to travel anymore,” he said. “He only does pay-per-views and then if it’s like in Australia, I’ll be doing that one. But then they mix it up between me, Cruz, and Felder.”
Despite his growing presence in the booth, Bisping insists he has no intentions of taking Rogan’s spot permanently. “That gig is held down by Joe Rogan. The Godfather, the creator, the inventor of MMA commentary, let’s be honest. Jon Anik is number one, a lot of people call him the GOAT. And of course, Daniel Cormier. That’s set in stone.”
While Rogan remains the voice of the UFC for stateside PPVs, international fans have had to get used to hearing different voices call the action. Love it or hate it, the ritual continues. So, UFC 315? No Rogan.
But hey, at least we still have Fight Companion. So, what do you think? Should Joe Rogan expand his travel or let the new generation take over? Let us know in the comments below.
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