“So Weird!” – Joe Rogan Recalls Commentating at UFC 249

UFC 249 was a unique experience for everybody. Here’s how Joe Rogan reacted to the “weirdness.”

After failing to book events in April, the Coronavirus pandemic forced the UFC to improvise. The company finally found a place to conduct their events without breaking any laws. With social distancing measures in place, the MMA Leader could carry out their business in Florida.

WWE was the first company to hold their events in Florida. The UFC simply followed its footsteps. However, Dana White—the President of the UFC—implemented stringent testing procedures. Everything was placed at a distance to adhere to the social distancing norms.

An unusual experience for Joe Rogan

At first, Rogan was hesitant to commentate at UFC 249. However, he switched his stance later. Unfortunately for Rogan, he was separated from his broadcast partners Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik.

“Look at this crazy shit. Jon Anik is way over there. DC’s way over there. No one’s in this place…So weird!” Rogan said.

Dead Silent Arena

As expected, there were no fans in the arena. Unlike the usual noise, the VyStar Veteran’s Memorial Arena was dead silent. Every move and every word could be heard by everybody. Fighters even stated that Daniel Cormier was too loud during their fights and they could hear him as they were fighting.

Greg Hardy, who faced Yorgan De Castro at UFC 249, thanked Cormier for unknowingly shouting out instructions at him.

“Thank God for not having the crowd,” Hardy told Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview. “Shout out to D.C. I heard him tell me to check him, that I needed to figure out how to check it. So I started trying to check him. Game-changer.”

Similarly, women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparaza said that Cormier’s cage-side analysis helped her to fix her mistakes. It is highly likely that the upcoming UFC events will also be similar.

When do you think the UFC will return to normal?