When Joe Rogan skipped UFC 266 due to bizarre reason

Modified Mar 06, 2025 05:44 GMT

Joe Rogan was not on commentary for UFC 266 due to a bizarre reason. [Image courtesy: @ufc on X]

Joe Rogan’s absence from UFC 266 raised eyebrows after it was revealed that he skipped the event due to an unconventional reason. Rogan did not attend the pay-per-view in September 2021 as it coincided with his annual hunting trip. Incidentally, he was also not part of the commentary desk for UFC 265 as the event clashed with a comedy tour.

The longtime voice of the promotion has reduced his commentary commitments in recent years. He works strictly pay-per-views and only on American soil, having made the decision not to travel abroad for UFC duties almost a decade ago.

With Rogan unavailable at the T-Mobile Arena, former UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder joined the desk alongside Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier. The event, headlined by Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega, still featured familiar faces like Bruce Buffer and Megan Olivi.

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Joe Rogan returns to commentary booth for UFC 313

Joe Rogan will be back behind the microphone at UFC 313 after missing last month’s pay-per-view event in Sydney. He will join Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik to call the action from Las Vegas.

Headlining the event, Alex Pereira defends his light heavyweight title against top contender Magomed Ankalaev. In the co-main event, Justin Gaethje was initially set to face Dan Hooker but will now fight Rafael Fiziev on short notice.

Rogan’s absence at UFC 312 was expected, as he does not travel for international events. However, he returns for his second pay-per-view of 2025, bringing his signature enthusiasm and analysis. The commentary team will also feature Din Thomas as a coach-analyst.

Providing breakdowns from the analyst desk will be Dominick Cruz, Chael Sonnen, and legendary boxing coach Teddy Atlas. Meanwhile, Bruce Buffer will introduce the fighters with his iconic octagon announcements.

With 12 fights on the card and a stacked commentary team, UFC 313 promises an action-packed night for fight fans.

About the author

Manjit has been an MMA writer at Sportskeeda since the past 3 years, specializing in covering boxing and MMA. Drawing from his past training in MMA, he brings a unique perspective to his reporting at Sportskeeda, culminating in compelling content.

While Conor McGregor holds a special place as his favorite fighter for the sheer legacy that the Irishman has built in MMA, Manjit's appreciation for the sport extends beyond individual athletes.

While writing, Manjit rigorously fact-checks and ensures the credibility of his sources to provide high-quality content for readers.

Outside of work, his interests include football and he is massive photography lover.

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Edited by Anurag Mitra