Popular podcaster and UFC commentator Joe Rogan has weighed in on the ongoing tension between grappling stars Gordon Ryan and Nick Rodriguez, expressing confidence in Ryan’s superiority despite recent controversy.
During a recent episode of his podcast featuring Derek from More Plates More Dates, Rogan discussed the potential matchup between the two athletes. “Gordon’s better. He’s just better,” Rogan stated definitively when asked about who would win between the two.
The discussion comes amid heightened interest following Rodriguez’s historic $1 million prize win at the Craig Jones Invitational, after which he issued a challenge to Ryan for a head-to-head competition with matching $1 million stakes.
However, Ryan’s response to the challenge has been met with criticism from Rodriguez, who described it as a “long weird post” filled with various conditions and stipulations. “It’s like, ‘I’ll compete against you if Craig competes against you with me at the same day, and if my stomach doesn’t hurt, and if it’s at my rules and my time limits,'” Rodriguez explained during a press conference.
Rogan acknowledged Rodriguez’s potential for growth but remained skeptical about him reaching Ryan’s level without training together. “Nicky Rod might get to Gordon’s level one day. I mean, but if they’re not training together, I don’t know if he will,” Rogan commented.
The situation has been further complicated by allegations of greasing, with Ryan recently making detailed accusations about the practice in competition. This too left a tremendous impression on Rogan who was quoted telling Derek:
Despite the ongoing debate and Rodriguez’s recent success, Rogan’s endorsement of Ryan’s abilities remains clear, though fans continue to wait and see if this high-stakes match will eventually materialize.
