UFC commentator Joe Rogan has issued a response to Ronda Rousey after the former bantamweight champion made some strong remarks about his place in the sport.
Rousey, who held the inaugural UFC bantamweight title, did not hold back in her criticism of Rogan, suggesting that his understanding of top-level combat sports is lacking.
She also took a jab at his taekwondo background, dismissing the idea that he should be considered an expert on fighting.
Amid the public criticism, Rogan’s reply was a bit surprising. He acknowledged Rousey’s comments but said that he is still an admirer.
Joe Rogan says the sport moved past Ronda Rousey
Responding to Rousey’s remarks, Rogan suggested that the sport simply evolved during her time at the top.
Her reign ended abruptly with back-to-back knockout losses – first to Holly Holm, then to Amanda Nunes in what turned out to be her final fight. That stretch marked a sudden fall from dominance.
Even so, Rogan said he does not hold anything against Rousey and explained that he understood where she was coming from.
“I never had a bad thing to say about Ronda (Rousey), I still don’t.
“I understand her mentality. I mean, she’s a champion-minded person. She’s like, ‘You’re f—— with me or against me. It’s me against the world.’
“She doesn’t have a chip on her shoulder, she’s got a forest — she’s got a whole forest on her shoulder.
“That’s why she was so good. And we’re lucky she was a woman if that lady was a man, she would be f—— Genghis Khan. She would take over the world. She’s an animal,” he stated on his podcast.
Joe Rogan praises Ronda Rousey’s historic UFC run
At her peak in the bantamweight division, Rousey put together a remarkable stretch of dominance.
She defended her title six times before losing to Holm, and along the way, broke an Octagon record previously held by Andrei Arlovski.
Rogan was particularly impressed by her performance against Cat Zingano, highlighting just how special her armbar game was at its best.
“There’s a fight with her and Cat Zingano,” he began by saying.
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“Cat Zingano just launches at her – Zingano was a f—— animal. Ronda catches her in an armbar in like 13 seconds (sic), I don’t remember the exact time. It was nuts. But it was perfect. Perfect technique.”
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