Combat sport enthusiast and podcaster Joe Rogan has taken a swipe at plans to hold a UFC fight night outside the White House, calling the Trump-backed project a “gimmick”
UFC-mad podcaster and former kickboxer Joe Rogan has surprised fans by hitting out at plans to stage a fight night event outside the White House, as part of celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the US and President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
Rogan, whose support of President Trump has been well known over the years, used his Joe Rogan Experience podcast to question the scheme, which has been devised by UFC boss Dana White and backed by the president himself.
Trump, known to be a big fan of UFC and combat sports in general, has previously called the plan the “biggest event” the UFC has ever had, describing that it will take place “right outside the front door of the White House”.
However, speaking on a recent episode, Rogan called the plan “odd” and a “gimmick”, adding: “I don’t like the idea of fighting outside at all. There are too many problems with it.”
Rogan, whose 11 million weekly listeners make him the biggest podcaster in the world, argued that the weather could make the event deeply uncomfortable for fighters and the crowd, saying “In June, in D.C., we looked it up last year: the same day was 100 degrees.”
Despite criticism, UFC boss Dana White has remained bullish over the event.
Speaking to Fox News, the combat sport mogul said: “I love these one-of-one-type events, like we did at The Sphere [in Las Vegas] last year for Noche UFC.”
“This is an incredible opportunity, not only for the fans and for the sport, but for the fighters.
“For the fighters to be able to be a part of something like this, it’s incredible.
“And for the fans, come to Washington DC all week, go to these historic places and to be able to enjoy UFC and all of the history DC has… it’s a one-of-one experience.”
Construction on the cage that will be the event’s centrepiece is already underway on the White House’s iconic South Lawn, with workers being seen building massive some arches and staging area, as well as thousands of temporary seats.
The one-off event is set to take place on 14 June, with the UFC set to splash around $60m (£44m) on the scheme.
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