UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko recently defended Joe Rogan after Ronda Rousey publicly criticized him. Shevchenko dismissed Rousey’s comments as inaccurate and expressed her respect for Rogan both personally and professionally.
Rogan, 58, has commentated UFC fights since 1997. During Rousey’s prime, he called all her biggest fights and often praised her talent. She was a dominant force in the women’s bantamweight division, often winning her fights by 1st round submission.
Not only was Rogan a vocal supporter of Rousey, but he was also emotional after her post-fight interview at UFC 190. He called her ‘the best ever.’ He thanked ‘Rowdy’ for allowing him to witness her greatness inside the octagon.
Rogan’s admiration for her seemed very genuine and heartfelt. However, things changed after Rousey retired. She began criticizing Rogan and the MMA community. She claims that both abandoned her after her back-to-back knockout losses.
After her latest criticism of Rogan on comedian Bert Kreischer’s podcast, the MMA community overwhelmingly supported the longtime UFC commentator. Among those supporters was Shevchenko.
Shevchenko reposted the podcast clip on her X account and included her own opinion on Rogan.
“I see Joe Rogan as a huge expert of martial arts, noble man, hunter, sportsman, and good example for youth!”
Shevchenko’s defense Rogan carries weight because she is considered one of the greatest female fighters in history and her opinion holds strong influence.
What Did Ronda Rousey Say About Joe Rogan to Prompt Valentina Shevchenko’s Response?
Ronda Rousey didn’t hold back with her harsh criticism of Joe Rogan. She questioned his knowledge of the sport and mocked his martial arts background.
“[Rogan’s] not an expert, he’s a fan with an audience,” Rousey said during her appearance on Bertcast. “He’s never fought. [Taekwondo] is not fighting. It’s not fighting. And I don’t want you to get any bad DMs. We need to get out.”
Rousey doesn’t consider Rogan to be an expert, rather one who has benefitted from having a massive following. In her view, his success came from the platform he built with his podcast, not his martial arts ability. ‘Rowdy’ stirred a debate among fans about what qualifies someone as an expert in combat sports.
The harsh criticism surprised many, especially since she made her comments on Kreischer’s podcast. The comedian is one of Rogan’s close friends, so her comments put him in an awkward situation.
Ronda Rousey Explains Gripe with Joe Rogan and MMA Community
Rousey also explained her broader frustrations with the MMA community. She believes fans abandon fighters once they start losing.
Rousey compared the culture in MMA to that of pro wrestling. In WWE, she noted that fans continue to respect and support legends long after they retire. She claimed the UFC fans lack the same loyalty.
“MMA fans and media are the most ‘What have you done for us lately?’ crowd of any sport,” Rousey told Bertcast. “You look at WWE and they have such a reverence for their legends. And in MMA, it’s like the second that you’re not on top, you’re not [expletive] and you never were [expletive].”
Rousey feels this attitude led to her rejection after her losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes.
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