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Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Stephen A. Smith responds to Joe Rogan’s criticism

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 1/26/20

Stephen A. Smith and Joe Rogan are at odds over the ESPN personality’s analysis of the main event at UFC 246 last weekend.

Smith, who is an MMA outsider and doesn’t often comment on the sport, provided commentary alongside Rogan and Michael Eaves on ESPN after Conor McGregor beat Cowboy Cerrone in the main event.

Smith was critical of Cerrone for lasting just 40 seconds and opined that the spotlight was too much for the veteran fighter. Smith also said that the quick win over Cerrone did not prove anything about whether or not McGregor was “back” after a long layoff.

Rogan, who has been an interviewer for the UFC since 1997 and is an accomplished mixed martial artist himself, took issue with Smith’s commentary. Rogan feels Smith was too harsh on Cerrone.

Here is what Rogan said on the “JRE MMA Show” podcast, as transcribed by MMA Junkie.

“For Conor to smash ‘Cowboy’ like that in front of his wife, his kid, his grandma and the whole world. You’ve got to have some respect for that man, and this sport demands a different perspective. It’s not the same thing as a ball going into a hoop. It’s not the same thing as crossing a line with a football. It’s different. It’s very intense and very personal, and it’s also very (expletive) dangerous and to play it off like it’s just a game, I don’t agree with it,” Rogan said.

Rogan also said the commentator’s shtick doesn’t belong in MMA

“That’s a bad look for everybody,” Rogan said. “It’s a bad look for ESPN, it’s a bad look for [Smith], it’s a bad look for the sport. There’s other people that can do this…We have plenty of people out there who understand the sport. There’s plenty of them. But the thing about him is he’s really popular. (He just got a contract extension) because his personality is so fun. He’s a fun guy to watch and people love (expletive)-talking and they love people arguing about (expletive) and one person is better at arguing. Stephen A. Smith is really good at that stuff. But it’s not the place for MMA. It’s just not the place. It’s not the same thing.”

On Saturday, Smith responded with this video where he focused on and defended his take that McGregor did not prove anything.

You're wrong on this one, @joerogan. pic.twitter.com/eU140zXlcW

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 26, 2020

McGregor got involved in the discussion and told Smith to apologize for not being more respectful of the way Cerrone lost.

The call you discuss here is A+. I didn’t show enough. I’m not paid by the hour though. Joe’s comments however, come from you saying the opposition fighter quit. Broken nose/orbital bone say different. Fighting is vicious. Those who make the walk deserve full respect!
Apologise.

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 26, 2020

Smith doesn’t know the intricacies of MMA, so hearing him talk is infuriating to the hardcore fans and knowledgeable commentators. But ESPN brings Smith on for his hot takes delivered in his entertaining style, and that’s exactly what he did. And now he’s created a beef out of it, which is why he’s paid the big bucks.

ESPN wants to help grow the sport, and having someone like Smith on to do his thing helps appeal to more people. But at the same time, if you’re going to do that, you have to work hard not to alienate your core fans who are the heart of the business.

Here is the original video of the postfight analysis from Rogan and Smith.

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

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The 30 best MMA fighters of the 2010s

Can you name the athletes featured in these rap lyrics?

Quiz Clue: Lyric with athlete name blanked out | Total tries: 1867 | Average Score: 3.6 out of 23 (16%) | Quiz FAQ

SCORE:
0/23

TIME:
6:00

Corner store like Mr. Spare-a-Quarter Before Air Jordans, __s

Kick a snitch head through a goal like __

My team something like the retro Celtics Which means consecutive championships Which means I’m __’s equivalent To the way I do a verse he handle the ball

You worthless fella You ain’t no athlete, you __

Cool as __, I’m blowin' a few Gs

And I’ve got mad hits like I was __

I been __ with the shot Been cookin' with the sauce, chef, __ with the pot, boy

Trying to get my hands on some __s like __

They tried to put two 9’s on me, just like __

Here comes __! The throw to the plate’s not in time! My, oh my, the Mariners win it!

W’s on my mind, peep what I’m getting at. Attire proper, __ though slightly darker

And that’s realer than Real-Deal __

A-yo __ knows this (what?) and __ knows that (what?) But __ don’t know jack, cause __ can’t rap

Told you before how I bring the dra-ma Slam __ and his Grandma-ma

I gotta a friend with a pole in the basement (what?) I’m just __ing like __ (oh) Unless you gon' do it

Glitter, glisten, gloss, floss I catch a beat runnin' like __

Pusha pitch it like he __ Striking them switch hitters Dodging popo

RAP PLEASE US! Deliver scriptures similar to Jesus That you couldn’t catch if you was __

7-7-3, Oh, since Kanye was a three-old Down the street from __, was practicing his free-throws

Then hit stage and break a leg like __

Cause to each its own and the lights is bright And I’m feeling like __ at a __ fight

Who are going through a struggle feels it and Relates, that’s great, it’s payback, __ Falling way back in the draft, turn nothing into something, still can Make that

I’m as __ as __, not that good with names But I do remember your face from someplace