Joe Rogan laments Francis Ngannou leaving UFC for PFL

Although UFC president Dana White seems unbothered by the company’s former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou signing with the Professional Fighter’s League, UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan doesn’t feel the same.

On a recent episode of his podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Rogan explains why he’s not thrilled to see Ngannou sign with a rival mixed martial arts promotion.

“It’s a big loss (for the UFC) in my mind, like, him going over to the PFL,” Rogan said. “It bums me out. I understand it; I’m happy he’s going to get paid, I’m happy he’s going to get to box, but I loved watching this guy fight in the UFC. He was a f------ monster. He was so good, and he is so good. It’s going to be interesting. I just don’t know who they’re going to have him fight.”

Perhaps more so than simply not being able to call Ngannou’s fights, Rogan appears annoyed that he and MMA fans likely will never see the grudge match between Ngannou and current UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones — a fight the UFC tried to make for the last two years that just never materialized.

“I do not like when a champion leaves,” Rogan added. “I do not like having the best guy in the world not being champion. I do not like the best guy in the world not fighting for the title against Jon. …I’m mad because I feel like we were deprived of one of the great fights in MMA — one of the most compelling fights in MMA.”