LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: This weekend's UFC 289 pay-per-view event at Vancouver, Canada's Rogers Arena, is scheduled to go without Joe Rogan. Former UFC lightweight Paul Felder, who has already stepped in for Rogan multiple times, will take over for the well-known podcaster.
Rogan routinely forgoes pay-per-view events that take place outside of North America due to his hectic schedule of podcasting, stand-up comedy, and other business obligations. Although it's unknown why the 55-year-old is skipping a Canadian event, the podcaster will undoubtedly watch the thrilling fights no matter where he is.
Who will replace Joe Rogan?
Only Joe Rogan, a regular member of the commentary crew, will miss the Vancouver event. Longtime play-by-play announcer Jon Anik and former two-division champion Daniel Cormier, who acts as a color commentator, will reportedly sit cage-side with Paul Felder. They will also have Din Thomas on board as a coach-analyst.
Megan Olivi, a journalist, and UFC correspondent, will serve as the roaming reporter in addition to the three commentators. Along with providing real-time event information, Olivi will also conduct interviews prior to and during the bout. The main event of UFC 289 will feature Irene Aldana vs. Amanda Nunes for the Women's Bantamweight title. Charles Oliveira, a former lightweight champion, will compete against Beneil Dariush in the co-main event in what might be a championship eliminator.
Joe Rogan isn't happy with Francis Ngannou leaving the UFC
Joe Rogan recently expressed his dissatisfaction at Francis "The Predator" Ngannou's decision to stop competing in the UFC. Ngannou stated he signed an unprecedented multi-million dollar multi-fight contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) after quitting the UFC in January.
As per reports, the new contract of "The Predator" allays his worries about fighters receiving a fair wage and gives him the freedom to freely pursue his goal of becoming a boxer. The Cameroonian-French professional mixed martial artist will allegedly form a "strategic partnership" with the PFL, offering him equity and leadership responsibilities inside the promotion, in addition to all of his rivals receiving a guaranteed $2 million. Rogan indicated he doesn't see many suitable opponents for him outside of the UFC on a recent episode of 'The Joe Rogan Experience'.
He said, “It’s a big loss in my mind, him going over to the PFL. It bums me out. I understand it. I’m happy he’s going to get paid, I’m happy he’s going to get to box, but I loved watching this guy fight in the UFC. He was a f**king monster... I just don’t know who they’re going to have him fight.”
