Alright, let’s talk about something I spent some time digging into recently, just out of my own curiosity. It’s about that guy, Joe Rogan, and his commentary gig over at the UFC.
So, I started watching UFC fights, maybe like a lot of people, kinda casually at first. You know, flipping channels or catching highlights. Didn’t really think much about the folks talking over the action. It was just background noise to the punches and kicks for a good while.
But then, you keep watching, and one voice starts to stand out. Rogan’s. He’s got that… intensity. Gets loud, shouts “OHHHHH!”, sounds genuinely hyped or shocked. And I kept hearing different takes online and from buddies – some saying he’s the best, others complaining non-stop. So, I decided, okay, I’m gonna actually pay attention to this properly. Like a little project for myself.
My Process: Just Listening Properly
It wasn’t anything fancy. No spreadsheets or deep analysis software, haha. I just made it a point over several fight cards, maybe five or six of ’em, to really tune into the commentary booth. Specifically focused on Rogan when he was on.
Here’s what I did:
- I’d sit down, try to minimize distractions.
- I focused less on just the visual action for a bit, and more on what was being said, when, and how.
- Listened to his interactions with Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier, or whoever else was paired up.
- Made mental notes, sometimes jotted down quick thoughts on a pad if something specific struck me.
What I Noticed Tuning In
Doing this, actually dedicating time to listening, brought up a few things I hadn’t really registered before.
First off, the guy’s passion is obvious. He sounds like a legit fan who just happens to have the best seat in the house. That energy can be pretty infectious during big moments. He makes you feel the stakes sometimes.
Second, his background in martial arts, especially jiu-jitsu, comes through. When fights hit the ground, he often jumps in with explanations of positions or submission attempts. Sometimes he gets super technical, trying to break down the grappling chess match. Does he get it right 100% of the time? Nah, probably not. I’ve heard fighters correct things later. But he tries to explain that complex stuff to a broad audience, which is something.
But it wasn’t all perfect, obviously. I also picked up on the things people complain about:
- Yeah, sometimes he gets REALLY loud, maybe overly dramatic.
- He definitely has his favorite fighters, or seems to get locked onto a certain narrative during a round.
- There are moments where he might miss something, or get a bit repetitive with his phrases.
It felt… well, human. Like watching a fight with a very enthusiastic, slightly biased buddy who knows a lot about one aspect of the game.
End Result of My Little ‘Study’
So, after dedicating that time to just observing his commentary style, what did I figure out? Mostly that he’s just one piece of the whole UFC broadcast puzzle. His style is distinct, for sure. High energy, opinionated, strong on the BJJ side, sometimes prone to hyperbole.
Spending that time didn’t make me firmly join the ‘love him’ or ‘hate him’ camp. It just made me understand why people land on both sides. He brings a certain flavor. It’s raw, not always polished, but it’s definitely his. Now when I watch, I find myself noticing the commentary dynamics way more, not just Rogan’s part but how the whole team works together (or sometimes talks over each other). It was an interesting little exercise, just paying attention to something I used to ignore.
