Joe Rogan explains why he’s not calling UFC on ESPN events

UFC commentator Joe Rogan hasn’t been featured on either of the US-based UFC on ESPN broadcasts this year, and now we know why.

The former “Fear Factor” host, who has been with the UFC for over 20-years, says that it was his decision to cut back on the amount of events he’d be working.

“I’m not interested,” Rogan explained. “I would take this for zero money over being in Phoenix right now. Although I would like to see those fights live and call those fights live, I’m good with 10 a year — 10 a year is what I like. Once a month, two months off.”

Joe Rogan went on to say he’ll only be featured on UFC pay-per-view (PPV) events and explained that it’s nothing personal against ESPN. The 51-year-old has been vocal about scaling back his work for quite some time – dating back to when he worked for FOX. This is the first time Rogan has publicly talked about the topic as the UFC made no mention of it on either broadcast.

 “Listen, man, I was thinking I was on my way out, but I still love it,” he said. “And I love it way more now because I don’t have to do it as much. And I love it way more now because we do this because we can do all of this shit-talking, have fun and be silly.”

In the absence of Joe Rogan in the broadcast booth, Jon Anik, Daniel Cormier, Dominick Cruz, Paul Felder and Michael Bisping will take over his duties. Fight Companion is a podcast where Joe and his friends – mainly Brendan Schaub, Bryan Callen and Eddie Bravo – watch fights together and share their opinions in real time.

Rogan turns 52 in August and also has a successful comedy career along with his popular podcast The Joe Rogan Experience.

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 2/19/2019.