UFC commentator Joe Rogan has been around combat sports for decades.
Along with intently taking in a sport for many years comes a wealth of knowledge, and apparently, Rogan believes that welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal is a better fighter than UFC Hall of Famer and former two-division champion Georges St-Pierre.
On a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan stated Masvidal (35-16 MMA, 12-9 UFC) is “on another level” in comparison to GSP (26-2 MMA, 20-2 UFC), based on the evolution of the game and opposition the two fighters have faced throughout their careers.
“Joe’s been watching the sport forever, and he truly is like an encyclopedia,” Masivdal told MMA Junkie Radio. “I was just with Joe, I got back from Texas. We’re like talking boxing and there’s not a name that I threw out that this guy doesn’t know and hasn’t digested 20 fights of this individual. … Every fight, every fighter that I brought up, he’s like, ‘Yeah, I remember so-and-so, he took him out in the seventh round.’ He’s just an encyclopedia of wealth for the sport.
“So, for him to consider me one of the better fighters to have ever lived is – f*ck man, that’s a real life notch for me right there, man. That guy, I consider him a f*ckin true connoisseur of the sport. He calls it the way he is and stuff in fights. I don’t think he’s a biased dude, man. So, I really enjoy his commentary as well. I just feel like that’s f*cking awesome that he put me up there like that.”
Rogan’s comparison drew a big reaction from the MMA community, prompting many to question his level of sobriety when he made the comments. On paper, the records and accomplishments between St-Pierre and Masvidal are very different, although both fighters are among the most popular in the history of the welterweight division, with impressive highlight reels.
Masvidal appreciates being mentioned in the same class as GSP. However, he is also aware that he has struggled with a certain type of fighter throughout his career. As long as he’s competing at a high level, Masvidal vows to overcome those holes in his game to reach the title. He’ll have an opportunity to get closer if he can get past former title challenger Gilbert Burns at UFC 287.
“The wrestlers have always given me a lot of trouble and stuff, but it’s certain types of wrestlers, the ones that negate the action by like always stalling, crotch sniffing and stuff,” Masvidal said. “At the same time, I feel like could do well with any of these guys if they don’t get their hands wrapped around me, and even if they did, if I’m able to slip away in time, you know?
“But like anybody in my sport, I want to fight only the f*cking best. But I’m not worried about GSP right now, because he don’t fight. So, it’s just he-say, she-say. I’m worried about every guy that’s currently active that’s in the top five. Those are the guys that’s I’m worried about and I want to f*cking hurt them, man. Especially the wrestlers.”
