Ronda Rousey Calls Out Joe Rogan in Fiery Podcast Interview

Former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion and Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey has reignited controversy within the mixed-martial-arts community after taking a direct swipe at Joe Rogan during a podcast appearance with comedian Bert Kreischer.

During the interview, Kreischer jokingly asked how long it would take him to train before stepping into the Octagon with Rousey. The conversation took an unexpected turn when Kreischer mentioned he had discussed the idea with Joe Rogan — prompting Rousey to fire back sharply.

According to the former champion, Rogan “isn’t an expert” and “doesn’t know what it’s like to fight.” Her words instantly sent ripples through the MMA world, reopening long-standing debates about credibility, commentary, and the boundaries between athletes and analysts.

Rousey, known for her fierce personality and blunt honesty, appeared visibly irritated by the idea that Rogan’s opinions carried equal weight to those of professional fighters. She argued that Rogan’s martial-arts background, while extensive, doesn’t qualify him to speak as an authority on the realities of combat. For her, the experience of standing in the cage — facing fear, exhaustion, and pain — is something that cannot be analyzed from the commentary desk.

The statement reflects an ongoing frustration Rousey has voiced since her final UFC appearance in 2016. She has often felt misunderstood or unfairly portrayed by media figures who, in her view, have never experienced the brutality of real competition. Rogan, as one of the UFC’s most prominent commentators, has been both a supporter and a critic of Rousey throughout her career. Her jab at him now feels like an emotional response built on years of tension.

Rousey’s comments have reignited discussions across social media, where fans are split between those who side with her and those who defend Rogan’s deep involvement in the sport. Supporters of Rousey argue that athletes are too often judged by outsiders who have never set foot in the cage. Rogan’s defenders, however, highlight his decades-long contribution to promoting MMA, noting that he helped bring the sport to mainstream audiences.

Still, Rousey’s point struck a chord: the distinction between commentator and combatant. For her, Rogan may be an influential voice, but not an authoritative one. “He’s a fan with a platform,” she said — a phrase that encapsulates her frustration with the media ecosystem surrounding combat sports.

Throughout the rest of the podcast, Rousey mixed humor with intensity, joking that she would fight Kreischer in his backyard for the price of his house. But beneath the laughter was a layer of sincerity. Her tone reflected not bitterness, but conviction: that true expertise in fighting comes only from those who have lived it.

Observers note that the exchange also hints at Rousey’s complicated relationship with her legacy. Though retired from MMA, she remains one of the sport’s most recognized names. Her move into professional wrestling and acting has kept her in the spotlight, but moments like this reveal that her fighting spirit — and her protective attitude toward the craft of MMA — remains intact.

Whether Rogan will respond remains to be seen. Known for his open-mindedness, he has often praised Rousey’s contributions to women’s MMA, calling her one of the sport’s greatest pioneers. Yet Rousey’s sharp comments underscore a truth many fighters feel: commentary and podcasts can influence reputations in ways that real fights never could.

In a world where podcasts reach millions and social media amplifies every remark, Rousey’s words once again place her at the center of the MMA conversation. She might no longer throw punches in the Octagon, but she still knows how to land a hit where it counts — with her voice.