Joe Rogan Explains How Sports Broadcasters Should Interview Athletes Giving His Own Example: “It’s Not About You. Make Sure It’s Not About You”

Published 01/08/2023, 1:22 PM EST
When a fighter wins a fight, he or she holds a desire to express themselves unwaveringly at that moment. All the efforts, sacrifices, pain, tears — all of it come down to that one moment. And in that precise expression, they are driven to convey their gratitude in full for all the effort they have expended up to that time. And interviewing them in their special such moment and letting them shine is something not many can do right. But Joe Rogan has mastered this skill impeccably and when he interviews the fighters, they get to live that moment in its truest special form. This is something the UFC commentator discussed with guest Dave Portnoy in the recent episode of the JRE. Upon doing so, the two talked about how some broadcasters wouldn’t show the deserved respect for the fighters. And how Rogan would, under no circumstances, act in such a manner.
MMA: UFC 274-Cortez vs Gatto, May 7, 2022 Phoenix, Arizona, USA UFC host Joe Rogan during UFC 274 at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports, 07.05.2022 16:47:32, 18687977, UFC, Joe Rogan, MMA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMarkxJ.xRebilasx 18687977
Joe Rogan wants to give the fighters their shining moments
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During episode #1920 of ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’, the UFC commentator, along with the guest Dave Portnoy, revisited the heated post-fight interview between Floyd Mayweather and Larry Merchant. Discussing this, Rogan explained the significance of allowing the fighters to shine during those specific moments and revealed his approach to doing so.
“The way I communicate with the fighters, I try to be 100% respectful at all times. And also, with reverence to the fact that these people, they trained for their whole life. And then, you know, six to twelve weeks for that particular event, when I’m in the ring and I’m in the cage, I’m trying to interview a fighter, all I’m trying to do is try to get that person to express themselves the best way they can. As respectfully as they can. I would’ve not talked to him(Floyd Mayweather) like that.”, said Joe Rogan.
The 55-year-old stressed the fact that promotion is ‘very, very valuable’ for the fighters. Additionally, the UFC commentator brought up how some of the sports broadcasters belittle the athletes, something he swore to never do in a million years. Instead, Rogan wants the fighters to shine in those moments. And he passes on one particular piece of advice to anyone who enters the same field of work.
Joe Rogan stated, “I’ve had conversations with people that wind up getting jobs like that in other promotions and I say, ‘It’s not about you. Make sure it’s not about you. All you’re trying to do is (to) get them to give their best interview that they can give… Stay out of the way and make it as entertaining as possible.”
Having said that, the UFC commentator talked about how important it is to make the fights entertaining as well. And Joe Rogan highlights two such individuals who made extraordinary contributions in that and revolutionized the UFC in that regard.
Rogan credits Chael Sonnen and Conor McGregor for bringing in the ‘value of promotion’
Promotion plays a pivotal role in up-scaling the fighters’ as well as the sport’s marketability. That is the interesting element of combat sports that attracts the viewers and contributes to raking big numbers at the PPV.
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In terms of branding themselves, UFC fighters are doing a pretty good job. But talking about who started it all and who are its pioneers, Joe Rogan believes that honor belongs to Chael Sonnen followed by Conor McGregor.
Rogan said, “Chael opened up people’s eyes to the benefit in the value of promotion.” He further added, “And then Conor McGregor took that to a completely new level.”
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Thus, it demonstrates how effective branding and promotion may advance fighters’ careers. Also, props to Joe Rogan for doing such an excellent job there with the post-fight interviews. The best to ever do it.
Watch this story: Joe Rogan 2022 Recap: Beef With Dwayne Johnson, Conor McGregor & Liver King, Spotify Backlash And More