Most people know Joe Rogan as the owner and creator of The Joe Rogan Experience, the most widely viewed podcast in the world. Currently, the podcast has over 12 million subscribers on YouTube. The podcast amassed so many eager listeners that the streaming platform Spotify acquired exclusive rights to the JRE for a whopping $200 million in 2020.

Joe Rogan is also well-known as a comedian, with specials on Netflix and Comedy Central. In addition, he was the host of the reality TV show Fear Factor.

But sports fans, especially fans of combat sports, know Joe Rogan as the most brilliant mixed martial arts aficionado in the world. However, there was one time when he showed his love for MMA but also put the NBA down.

Joe Rogan on Kobe Bryant and the Lakers’ three-peat

Joe Rogan has been covering the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for about 25 years now. Starting from 1997, he is probably the most familiar face in the UFC outside the octagon.

He has been doing backstage interviews, live commentary, and fight breakdowns for the organization since its inception. His enthusiasm for and expertise in the sport have endeared him to countless combat sports fans around the world.

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His services to the UFC were not motivated by monetary incentives, but by a deep love for the sport. A love that he didn’t share with any other sport.

In fact, in this interview on the 22nd of June 2002, Joe Rogan explicitly underlines his love for MMA and absolute indifference for other sports, like basketball. He said, “I’m a huge fan of Ultimate Fighting, all MMA”, said Rogan, “Literally, I don’t care about any other sports.”

“Like the Lakers won their third championship the other day-I couldn’t care less. If they made basketball illegal, it wouldn’t even bother me,” he added.

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers’ three-peat

The Los Angeles Lakers swept the New Jersey Nets in the NBA finals to win their third consecutive NBA championship. It was one of the most important moments in US sports history, reminiscent of the Bulls’ two three-peats in the 90s.

This would be the last championship win for the Shaq and Kobe duo. Even though Shaq bagged the finals MVP, Kobe had a historic series averaging 26.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists, with a field goal percentage of 51.43%.

However, when all of America was celebrating the amazing feat of the Lakers, Joe Rogan was fixated on his favorite sport. This accurately displays his love and dedication to MMA.

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The MMA community in general and UFC, in particular, will always remember Rogan’s contribution to growing the sport. But his statement about the Lakers might not have gone down well with the fans.