Joe Rogan has recently revealed on his podcast why he retired from combat sports following a brutal knockout that he ‘never recovered from’. The popular UFC commentator and The Joe Rogan Experience podcaster has opened up on swapping the gloves for the microphone.
Joe Rogan Reveals Reason Why He Quit Combat Sports Following Brutal Knockout
Joe Rogan is a name that is globally recognised. The American runs The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, which is one of the most popular in the entire world. Not to mention the fact he has been a UFC commentator for over 25 years and a reputable figure in MMA circles.
Rogan began his combat sports journey at just 14-years-old, dabbling first in karate and taekwondo. At one time, Rogan was touted to have an extremely bright future in combat sports.
However, that shifted fairly quickly as he instead turned his attention to commentary on MMA. Fast forward to now and Rogan is one of the most well-known voices in MMA, alongside the likes of MC Bruce Buffer.
Joe Rogan has been the UFC’s colour commentator since 1997, with a wealth of knowledge on the sport and all forms of combat. He has worked for the company and alongside UFC President Dana White ever since.
But how exactly did Rogan become a commentator, and why did he give up his own career as a talented combat sportsman?
The 57-year-old has revealed the real reason as to why he walked away from combat sports and swapped the gloves for the microphone after an anguishing experience.
‘I Never Recovered’ – Joe Rogan On Harrowing KO Experience
Joe Rogan has admitted that the reason he walked away from combat sports was due to a horrible experience he had during a taekwondo fight. The American admitted that it left such a strong impact on his that he never truly got over it and simply had to quit:
“I was very enthusiastic about fighting until I was 19, it was a time I never recovered from.
“It was when I fought in this tournament in Anaheim, California, it was the National (Championships), I was the Massachusetts state champion, and I fought this kid who was Illinois state champion.
“I hit him in the head with a wheel-kick. I’m spinning my right heel around in a circle and it has insane power, I mean insane power.
“He went out, face plant, snoring, never woke up. Never woke up. He was unconscious for half an hour, they put him on a stretcher, I was watching. He never got out of that stretcher, they took him to the hospital, I have no idea what happened to him and it freaked me out,” said an emotional Rogan.
Despite leaving combat sports behind, it evidently hasn’t done the American any harm. In fact, it was the making of him. Joe Rogan boasts a net worth of upward of $200 million, mainly thanks to his career with a microphone in his hand or in front of him.
In a strange way, maybe that brutal knockout experience was the making of the 57-year-old. The guy he fought woke up eventually and was fine, but it was certainly a scary moment. Since then, Rogan has forged out a successful career for himself as a UFC colour commentator and podcast host.
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