‘Total bullsh***’: UFC boss calls out Joe Rogan over mysterious absence

Joe Rogan was absent from his usual commentary duties this weekend but the UFC’s boss says his excuse for missing the action is a lie.

Joe Rogan opted not to commentate at UFC 271 this weekend following his historical racism storm.

On Friday, it was announced that the veteran commentator would not be joining MMA legend Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik in the commentary booth as usual due to a “scheduling conflict”.

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But according to UFC president Dana White, the under-fire podcaster’s absence from the weekend’s action was of his own doing, The Sun reports.

During the press conference following Israel Adesanya’s win over Robert Whittaker, White told the assembled media: “There’s no conflict of schedule, Joe Rogan didn’t work tonight. Joe Rogan could’ve worked tonight.”

When asked if Rogan made the decision not to feature on the broadcast, he replied: “Yeah (he chose not to work).

“I don’t know what Joe Rogan had to do, you’ll have to ask Joe Rogan. There was no ‘Joe couldn’t work’ or anything like that. It’s total bulls***.”

Joe Rogan skipped his UFC commentary duties this weekend. Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP

UFC boss Dana White wasn’t too impressed. (Photo by Logan Riely / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)

White refused to confirm if Rogan will be back in the booth next month for UFC 272, but he said: “Whenever he’s gonna work again, he’s working.”

Rogan’s late withdrawal from UFC 271 came amid the fallout from the racism storm that ensued after historical footage of him repeatedly using the N-word during his podcasts went viral on social media.

In the clip, Rogan made various racial slurs with friends after being dropped off in a predominantly black neighbourhood to watch the movie.

The 54-year-old apologised on social media last week, saying of his use of the words: “I never used it to be racist.

Joe Rogan is in the midst of a scandal surrounding his podcast. (Photo by Carmen Mandato / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)

“It’s not my word to use. I’m well aware of that now, but for years I used it in that manner.”

He added: “I do hope that this can be a teachable moment.”

“My sincere and humble apologies, I wish there was more that I could say. All of this is just me talking from the bottom of my heart.

“Makes me sick watching that video. Hopefully some you will accept this and understand where I’m coming from.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and has been repurposed with permission.

Originally published as ‘Total bullsh***’: UFC boss calls out Joe Rogan over mysterious absence