"Oh my god!" - Joe Rogan shares jaw-dropping moment watching Francis Ngannou fight live close-up at UFC Apex

On his podcast, longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan recently described what it was like to watch Francis Ngannou's bout at the UFC Apex with no audience.

Alongside artist Mike Maxwell, Rogan spoke on episode #2359 of The Joe Rogan Experience about how seeing bouts at the UFC Apex differs from other arenas where there are many spectators. But because there aren't many seats at the Apex, it feels exuberant and unique, and the fights are far more thrilling to witness because everyone can hear and almost feel every shot the fighters land.

Rogan then referenced the main event of UFC 260 at Apex, in which Ngannou finished Stipe Miocic in the 52-second mark of Round 2 to become the new UFC heavyweight champion. Rogan, who witnessed the bout from the cageside, said:

"When he [Stipe Miocic] collapsed, when he [Francis Ngannou] hit him with a left hook and dropped him, and then punched him when he was down, I was like 'Oh my god.' It was so different than seeing it in an arena. It was so intimate."

Check out Joe Rogan's comments below (31:55):

---

Joe Rogan believes a two-division UFC champion is "touched by the universe"

In the previously stated JRE episode, Joe Rogan and his guest discussed how some fans can sense a fighter's confidence and also their nervousness as they make their way to the octagon.

During the sitdown, after mentioning two-division UFC champion Ilia Topuria's name and his level of confidence before fights, Rogan said:

"He walks out like he has not a doubt in the world. No doubt. It's definitely from that, but I also think he is touched by the universe." [33:10]

He added:

"I think there are certain people who have a talent, obviously hard work, obviously discipline, obviously intelligence, obviously great trainers… But there is an understanding of what to do and how to do it and when to do it, and an ability that's above and beyond."