Joe Rogan Disagrees With Dana White, Says UFC Contender Got ‘Raw Deal’

Joe Rogan appreciates any style of mixed martial arts, and that’s why he believes that the main contender in the welterweight Magomed Ankalaev has long deserved a shot at Alex Pereira.

While watching Ankalaev’s unanimous decision win over Aleksandr Rakic ​​at UFC 308, Rogan discussed Ankalaev’s predicament as a top contender for the 205-pound title. I’m a big fan of Ankalaev,” Rogan said during a recent episode of JRE Fight Companion. “I think he got a real raw deal [and] I think Jan Blachowicz’s struggle is not his fault [because] It was a great fight and I thought he did what he had to do to win.”

Ankalaev fought Jan Blachowicz for the then-vacant light heavyweight title in December 2022 and the fight ended in a draw. Since the draw with Blachowicz and before Pereira’s thrilling KO victory over Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 earlier this month, Ankalaev hasn’t had a contest against Johnny Walker, but he knocked him out in the first round in their rematch.

However, Ankalaev was forced to face Rakic ​​at UFC 308 in a fight that would have been disastrous for his chances of earning a title shot had he lost. White’s recurring guest and former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub cited Dana White and the UFC as not being fans of Ankalaev’s wrestling style.

Rogan’s answer was correct.

“I think you have to be a purist,” Rogan replied. “I think the best guys should fight the best, period and that’s it [Ankalaev] one of the best guys for sure,” Rogan isn’t the first UFC analyst or commentator to call out the promotion for keeping Ankalaev from a title shot.

Former UFC heavyweight and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier accused the promotion of protecting its “golden goose”, referring to Pereira, implying that this is why Ankalaev has not hit the champion Brazilian dominant. Ankalaev’s style would seemingly test Pereira in a way he hasn’t been tested in his MMA career since his split decision win over Blachowicz in July 2023.

Despite Ankalaev accusing Pereira of dumping him, the latter insists the UFC believes the former is boring and that’s why the fight didn’t happen. Based on what we’ve seen, Pereira, Rogan and possibly Cormier are right. Pereira is probably right, the UFC has been the entity standing in Ankalaev’s way.

Maybe they believe the style of wrestling is boring, but as Cormier said, the fighters and White may also believe Ankalaev has a real chance to beat Pereira. Because Pereira has risen to such a high level as a star in the UFC, it makes sense that the promotion would want him to stay in a top spot for as long as he can. That said, according to Rogan, being a purist is essential.

Regardless of fighting style, the best fighters must fight the best opponents. This is the element that made MMA fun, and the concept is also what made the UFC more beloved than boxing. There was less politics. However, if we are falling into a space where great fighters with styles that are seen as boring and others that White and Co. they don’t like they aren’t getting opportunities, then we are treading on dangerous and less attractive ground.

Thankfully, White said Ankalaev would be next for Pereira sometime in 2025, but the truth is he probably should have gotten his shot before Rountree.