Joe Rogan’s journey into the UFC was anything but conventional. Would you be willing to work for a company for free because you were passionate about the sport? That’s a small part of Rogan’s story with the UFC, and it began at a time when the sport resembled an unscripted bar fight in a cage rather than the global spectacle it is today!

While the host of the JRE (Joe Rogan Experience) got his start working as a backstage and post-fight interviewer at UFC 12 in 1997, by 1999, he had to quit, as his travel costs were soaring higher than his paycheck. But all of that changed when Dana White took the helm of the promotion and Rogan’s passion for the sport impressed the UFC boss so much that the rest, as they say, is history!

Joe Rogan pulls back the curtain on what led Dana White to offer him a role at the broadcast desk

During the JRE episode no. 2235 with Mike Rowe of ‘Dirty Jobs’ fame, Joe Rogan reminisced about the UFC’s ‘Wild West’ days. The podcast host shared, “They were bare knuckle, people wore shoes, they could grab their shorts, it was like crazy rules” and those chaotic early fights felt more like underground gladiator matches than a sport.

What the UFC needed at the time, Rogan stated, “And we said, you know what it would take, these billionaires who love the sport and dump a ton of money into it, that’s what it would take.” That’s where Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta came in, investing in the organization when no one else dared in 2001.

But it wasn’t just the money. It was the Fertittas’ belief in the sport’s potential that attracted Rogan. Dana White’s no-nonsense leadership added another layer of intrigue. The comedian further revealed, “And then I started asking Dana like have you ever heard about this guy, did you ever see this guy fight in Japan, you ever heard of this Russian dude and I started asking him about fighters, like you should try to get these guys and then he’s like, ‘do you want to do commentary?’ and then next thing you know, I’m a commentator for the UFC.”

Rogan’s first commentary gigs starting out in 2002 were far from glamorous. “They didn’t even have any money at the time because they were hemorrhaging money,” Rogan revealed, adding that he worked his first 13 events for free. But for the man who turned an entire generation into UFC fans, it wasn’t about the money; it was about the sport. Fighters respect him, fans adore him—or, in some cases, love to hate him. Regardless, his voice has become synonymous with the UFC.

From a backstage interviewer to one of the most recognizable voices in sports, his journey proves that curiosity and hard work can open unexpected doors. But that wasn’t all as the JRE host also had a part to play in the rise of one of the biggest stars the world of mixed martial arts has ever seen!

Rogan spotted Conor McGregor’s talent before the UFC came calling  

Every great story has an unseen hand guiding the protagonist’s rise. For Conor McGregor, the brash Irishman who would become MMA’s brightest star, that hand belonged to none other than Joe Rogan. During his conversation with Mike Rowe, the JRE host was asked if his passion for MMA extended beyond just watching fights.

Rogan confessed, “I do feel obligated to pay attention like there’s guys that are coming up in other organizations. I see guys have specific skill sets that are unique. Like, I contacted Conor McGregor in like 2013,”

At that time, ‘The Notorious’ was tearing through the Cage Warriors lightweight and featherweight ranks, much like he’d do in the UFC later. As such, Rogan recalled “He was fighting in Cage Warriors, and I reached out. I said, ‘Dude, you’re f***ing super talented. I hope I get to see you in the UFC someday.”

The Irishman’s response was pure McGregor—grateful yet swaggering. “Thank you very much, Joe, that means a lot. You’re a f***ing legend, my friend!” he responded on social media. At the time, McGregor was already making waves with his performances, but Rogan’s endorsement definitely added fuel to the fire. Soon after, Dana White came calling!

Whether it’s through his commentary, his podcast, or his ability to spot talent before the world does, Rogan has cemented himself as more than just a voice of the UFC—he’s part of its beating heart. What are some of your favorite Joe Rogan moments in the UFC? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!