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Joe Rogan Issues Strong Message on Skipping UFC 315

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio G Losada | Last updated Mar 25, 2025 7:46 AM ET

Joe Rogan confirmed he will not be working UFC 315 in Montreal this May, telling listeners on his podcast the reason behind his decision.

Rogan was crystal clear in revealing that he no longer travels to Canada and would “rather go to Russia” than attend the event in Montreal.

“I won’t be there,” Rogan said during Saturday’s UFC London episode of the "Fight Companion" podcast. “I don’t go to Canada anymore. I don’t.

"I’d rather go to Russia.”

Rogan’s absence continues a recent trend for the famous commentator, who also skipped UFC 297 in Toronto on Jan. 20, 2024, and has largely stopped traveling for international events, citing the travel burden.

“I don’t go to Canada anymore. I’d rather go to Russia.” — Joe Rogan pic.twitter.com/U6bXlDTz52
— Catch Up (@CatchUpFeed) March 24, 2025

UFC 315 is set for May 10 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, headlined by Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena and Valentina Shevchenko vs. Manon Fiorot.

Rogan’s comments came just days after he criticized Donald Trump’s tariff war with Canada.

Although the longtime UFC commentator has supported Trump in the past, he pushed back on the idea of rising tensions with Canada.

“We got to become friends with Canada again, this is so ridiculous,” Rogan said last week. "I can’t believe there’s anti-American, anti-Canadian sentiment going on. It’s the dumbest."

At this point, it's unknown who will replace Rogan at the commentator table at UFC 315, although former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz took the assignment when he didn't attend UFC 297 at the start of 2024.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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