Renowned UFC commentator and longtime voice of the Octagon, Joe Rogan, is set to return to his commentary duties at UFC 316, replacing former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, who filled in during Rogan’s absence at UFC 315. This weekend’s blockbuster event will mark Rogan’s comeback to the booth as the UFC heads to Newark, New Jersey.
Joe Rogan returns as UFC comes back to U.S. soil
Rogan, a staple of UFC’s commentary team for decades, was noticeably absent during UFC 315, which took place in Canada. Known for his stance on not traveling internationally for UFC events, Rogan previously stated that he “would rather go to Russia” than commentate in Canada, opting out of the pay-per-view event altogether.
In his place, Dominick Cruz stepped in alongside Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier, offering expert analysis during the action-packed event. However, with UFC 316 returning stateside, Joe Rogan will reclaim his familiar seat cageside.
A high-stakes main event welcomes Rogan back
UFC 316 will feature a highly anticipated bantamweight title rematch between reigning champion Merab Dvalishvili and the flashy, hard-hitting Sean O’Malley. Dvalishvili shocked the MMA world when he dethroned O’Malley at UFC 306 last September and followed it up with a dominant defense against Umar Nurmagomedov earlier this year.
Heading into the rematch, Dvalishvili is confident, boldly predicting a knockout despite being better known for his relentless grappling. “I’m going to knock him out,” he said ahead of the fight, setting the stage for what could be one of the most electric title fights of the year.
Dominick Cruz steps aside, but remains a key voice
Although Joe Rogan will take over commentary duties for UFC 316, Dominick Cruz remains a valued analyst within the promotion. His insightful breakdowns and fighter’s perspective earned praise during his fill-in appearance at UFC 315, and it’s likely fans will continue to hear his voice on other broadcasts.
Rogan’s last octagon call: UFC 314
Rogan’s last appearance behind the microphone was during UFC 314 in Miami, where he called the action as Alexander Volkanovski reclaimed his featherweight title with a dominant win over Diego Lopes. As UFC 316 gears up, fans are eager to see the return of Joe Rogan’s iconic voice, unmatched energy, and sharp fight IQ.