Joe Rogan recently shared his thoughts on the greatest fighters in UFC history during an episode of his popular show, “The Joe Rogan Experience.” Speaking with country music star Luke Combs, Rogan delved into the ongoing debate about who deserves the title of GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in the world of mixed martial arts.
Rogan, who has been closely involved with the UFC since its early days, named three fighters he believes stand out above the rest. His list included some expected names but also featured a surprise pick that may raise eyebrows among MMA fans.
First on Rogan’s list was Khabib Nurmagomedov, the undefeated former lightweight champion from Dagestan. With an impressive record of 29 wins and zero losses, Nurmagomedov’s dominance in the octagon is undeniable. However, Rogan noted that Khabib’s relatively short reign at the top, with only four title defenses, might be a factor in the GOAT debate.
The second fighter Rogan mentioned was Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. Rogan praised Johnson as the “technical expression of the greatness of mixed martial arts,” highlighting his exceptional skills across all aspects of the sport. Johnson’s long reign as flyweight champion, lasting 2,142 days, certainly adds weight to his inclusion in the conversation.
However, it was Rogan’s third and final pick that he deemed “undeniable” as the greatest of all time: Jon Jones. The podcast host emphasized Jones’ incredible ability to dominate opponents even when not at his best, stating, “The difference is Jon Jones never lost even when he was doing drugs, and he wasn’t even training… that’s how god damn good Jon Jones is.”
Jones’ career has been marked by both incredible achievements and controversy. He held the light heavyweight title for 1,501 days before moving up to heavyweight, where he captured the title in his debut fight in the division against Ciryl Gane in March 2023.
Rogan’s assessment of these fighters takes into account not just their win-loss records, but also the quality of their opponents and their overall impact on the sport. While fans may debate the merits of each fighter, there’s no denying that Nurmagomedov, Johnson, and Jones have all left indelible marks on the world of mixed martial arts.
