Joe Rogan recently expressed his disappointment regarding Francis Ngannou’s departure from the UFC, sharing his thoughts on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast. Rogan, a longtime commentator and martial arts enthusiast, had witnessed many of Ngannou’s impressive victories within the UFC and believed that the heavyweight fighter would face his greatest challenges by staying with the premier organization. While discussing Ngannou’s move to the Professional Fighters League (PFL), Joe Rogan also highlighted the aspects that intrigued him about this transition.
Ngannou’s decision to leave the UFC for the PFL garnered mixed feedback from the MMA community. UFC president Dana White, in particular, criticized the move, questioning the PFL’s rationale and pointing out Ngannou’s prolonged period of inactivity, while also holding him responsible for not taking risks. Up until now, Rogan had remained silent on the matter but recently shared his thoughts, weighing the pros and cons of Ngannou’s deal.
During episode #1991 of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Joe Rogan hosted a panel of stand-up comics, including Ari Shaffir, Mark Normand, and Shane Gillis, engaging in a three-hour conversation that touched upon various topics, eventually leading to Ngannou. As they watched a clip of Ngannou’s rematch with Stipe Miocic for the UFC title, Rogan commented on how Ngannou had evolved since his previous loss to Miocic several years ago.
Joe Rogan Acknowledges the Monetary Gains in Ngannou’s PFL Deal
Expressing his frustration with Ngannou’s departure, Joe Rogan stated, “It’s a big loss in my mind, like, him going to the PFL. It bums me out.” Despite his disappointment, Rogan acknowledged that he understood Ngannou’s decision and expressed happiness for the fighter, recognizing the financial opportunities and boxing prospects that awaited him in the PFL. Rogan emphasized how much he had enjoyed watching Ngannou’s performances in the UFC, considering him a formidable force.
Joe Rogan’s sentiments echo those of numerous fans and industry professionals who view Ngannou’s move to the PFL as a significant milestone in his career. By turning down an $8 million deal from the UFC, Ngannou has not only secured substantial financial gains for himself but also opened the door for future opponents to potentially earn multi-million dollar paychecks. It is worth noting that Ngannou has also assumed the role of chairman for PFL Africa.
An intriguing aspect of Ngannou’s deal with the PFL is the opportunity it affords him to explore boxing. However, the question of whom he will face in the PFL remains unanswered. It is conceivable that Ngannou is closely monitoring the heavyweight tournaments within the organization, as the winner of such a tournament could become his first opponent in this new chapter of his career.
The departure of the former UFC Heavyweight champion from the organization has sparked debate among fans. What are your thoughts on Ngannou’s decision? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments section below.
