MMA legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has never been one to mince words and his throwback candid assessment of UFC commentator Joe Rogan‘s broadcasting tendencies is no exception. During a funny conversation Jackson made some pointed observations about Rogan’s commentary style that have caught the attention of combat sports fans.
When asked about a hypothetical matchup between himself and the longtime UFC commentator Jackson didn’t hesitate to share his thoughts.
“I think I’d beat the s*** out of Joe Rogan. Long as he don’t get me to the ground because his jiu-jitsu is really good.”
But it was Jackson’s follow-up commentary that proved most illuminating about Rogan’s approach to calling matches. The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion suggested that Rogan’s own expertise in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu creates a noticeable bias in his commentary.
“You know he’s got good jiu-jitsu because he’s so biased (for) jiu-jitsu guys. You can hear it in his voice. Whenever a guy is a jiu-jitsu fighter Joe Rogan might as well be playing the old rusted trombone.”
Jackson’s colorful description painted a picture of Rogan’s enthusiastic reaction to grappling-heavy athletes mimicking what he perceives as the commentator’s overly favorable tone when discussing jiu-jitsu specialists.
This critique comes at an interesting time in Jackson’s own martial arts journey. The MMA veteran recently returned to traditional gi training after a 20-year hiatus visiting Paulo Gazze Jr‘s gym in Huntington Beach California – the same facility where he first trained when moving from Memphis to California decades ago.
Despite his extensive combat sports career Jackson remains a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu having stepped away from gi training for over two decades. His recent return to the mat proved successful as he reported performing well against both a fellow blue belt and a brown belt during his comeback session.
“I haven’t done gi jiu-jitsu in over 20 years. I wanted to know how would I do. And so I went with another blue belt and I did good. And then I went with a brown belt and I did well.”
The experience of returning to gi training after such a lengthy absence was both nostalgic and disorienting for Jackson.
“It was weird. It was weird. I liked it. I liked it that day. It’s good. I’m used to no gi but then I haven’t done gi jiu-jitsu in over five years.”
While Rogan’s expertise in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – he holds a black belt in the discipline – undoubtedly enhances his technical commentary Jackson’s perspective suggests this knowledge might also influence his enthusiasm for certain styles.
