What happens when a fabricated quote goes viral? In this case, a fake tweet attributed to Stephen A. Smith, claiming he could knock out Joe Rogan with one punch, stirred up the MMA community. The fake news spread quickly, and the backlash was swift, with threats mounting against the ESPN personality. But what started as an absurd rumor turned into a powerful show of support for Rogan, with voices like Josh Thomson and Big John McCarthy coming to his defense.

It all kicked off when a parody account posted a tweet, supposedly from Stephen A., saying, “If my right hand lands on Joe Rogan, all due respect, he’s getting knocked out.” The MMA world exploded in disbelief, with former UFC fighter Josh Thomson being one of the first to respond on Weighing In podcast episode #533, “Get the f**k out of here! Please tell me this is fake.” He mocked the supposed statement, questioning Stephen A.’s ability to even land a punch in the first place.

Big John McCarthy, a longtime MMA referee, jumped in to add his thoughts. He didn’t hold back, “If Stephen A. really said this, what the f**k is wrong with you?” John pointed out how ridiculous it was for someone with no real fighting experience to make such claims, calling the ESPN analyst a “weak a** b***h”. He continued, “You’re hitting mitts…. and in a real fight, they get hit one hit, and they’re turning around like a little kid wanting to go home.”

But here’s the twist, the entire drama was based on a fake tweet. The quote didn’t come from Stephen A. Smith, it was all part of a parody. Once the truth came out, the reactions shifted from anger to disbelief, but the damage had already been done. The MMA community had already rallied around Joe Rogan, sending a message that respect for fighters and the sport itself is non-negotiable.

A Show of UFC Support for Joe Rogan

So, why did this fake quote cause such an uproar? It’s not just about the credibility of the source, it’s about how easily misinformation can spread, especially when it involves icons like Joe Rogan, who’s a veteran UFC color commentator and ex-Taekwondo competitor. Rogan’s take on the sport has earned him the respect of fans and fighters alike. That’s why Josh Thomson and Big John McCarthy were so quick to jump to his defense, shooting down the idea that someone who’s never fought could claim to be able to knock out a figure like Rogan.

In fact, Rogan himself had already mocked Stephen A. over his infamous mitt work video back in 2020. “Is he punching a baby?” Rogan joked at the time, poking fun at Stephen A.’s technique. So when the fake quote resurfaced, Rogan’s supporters weren’t about to let it slide. As Big John McCarthy pointed out, it’s easy to look tough on pads, but a real fight? That’s a whole different ballgame.

At the heart of this controversy is a crucial issue, respect for fighters. In a world where many can talk tough but few truly understand the intricacies of combat sports, the reaction to this fake news was a clear reminder of how much respect Rogan, Thomson, McCarthy, and other MMA vets have earned over the years. To them, it’s not about throwing wild punches or making sensational claims, it’s about understanding what goes into being a fighter and respecting the craft.

So, what do you think? Is there a line when it comes to who can speak about fighting and who should stay quiet? And now that we know the tweet was fake, does the outcry still feel justified? Let us know in the comments!