Long before Joe Rogan became synonymous with MMA commentary and the world’s biggest podcast, he was a white belt grappling on the mats of a Hollywood jiu-jitsu gym. In a fascinating revelation during the Jaxxon Podcast, UFC legend Vitor Belfort shared that he actually taught Joe Rogan Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when Rogan was just starting his journey in the martial art.
Rogan’s entry into BJJ came after watching UFC 2 in 1994, where Royce Gracie‘s dominant performance exposed the limitations of striking-only martial arts. As a taekwondo black belt, Rogan realized his art was “incomplete” and became fascinated by how Royce could neutralize larger, stronger opponents through grappling and submissions. This pivotal moment sparked what would become a lifelong passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In 1996, Rogan took his first jiu-jitsu class under the legendary Carlson Gracie in West Hollywood, California. It was at this Carlson Gracie gym where a young Vitor Belfort, then teaching classes, encountered the future podcast king.
“Joe Rogan was my student,” Belfort revealed on the podcast. “He was a white belt,” training at the Hollywood location where Belfort was instructing.
Belfort spoke highly of Rogan’s approach to learning, describing him as humble and eager to absorb knowledge.
“He was so into it,” Belfort recalled, noting that even as a beginner, Rogan’s authentic passion for martial arts was evident.
The UFC commentator’s dedication was apparent from those early days—he wasn’t just showing up; he was genuinely invested in understanding the art.
Rogan’s first class was a humbling experience. Before rolling with a purple belt, he thought he had a chance based on his striking background. That illusion was quickly shattered as he was “handled” on the mats, forcing him to confront the reality that his self-defense abilities weren’t what he thought. This wake-up call inspired him to take his jiu-jitsu training seriously.
The late 1990s saw Rogan training not only under Carlson Gracie but also under Rickson Gracie, absorbing techniques from multiple sources in the legendary Gracie family. He earned his blue belt sometime in the late 90s or early 2000s, and by 2002, Jean Jacques Machado awarded him his purple belt—a moment Rogan described as one of the happiest of his life, even surpassing the joy of landing the Fear Factor hosting gig.
Rogan’s progression continued, though he spent eight years as a brown belt due to inconsistent training while building his entertainment career. During this period, he began training no-gi with Eddie Bravo, further expanding his grappling repertoire. Finally, in 2010, Rogan received dual black belts: his gi black belt from Jean Jacques Machado and his no-gi black belt from Eddie Bravo.
Today, Rogan’s contribution to MMA extends far beyond his personal jiu-jitsu journey. Belfort emphasized that Rogan has done more for mixed martial arts than almost anyone, bringing mainstream attention to the sport through his podcast and commentary.
“Joe has done so much for martial arts,” Belfort said. “He gave so much to the sport, not just by talking, but by living it. He walks the talk.”
The two actually debuted in the UFC on the same day—Belfort competing, Rogan interviewing—marking the beginning of parallel careers that would help shape MMA into the global phenomenon it is today.
From white belt student at Carlson Gracie’s Hollywood gym to black belt and the sport’s most influential voice, Joe Rogan’s jiu-jitsu journey embodies the transformative power of martial arts and the humility required to become a lifelong student of the game.
