Longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan reportedly found himself genuinely baffled as he tried to unpack President Donald Trump’s ambitious vision for hosting a series of major fight events at the White House next June. The plan, announced by Trump at the Kennedy Center Honors earlier this month, is part of the administration’s effort to mark America’s 250th anniversary with a spectacle unlike anything Washington has ever seen.
Rogan discussed the idea on Tuesday’s episode of The Joe Rogan Experience with UFC fighter Brendan Allen, and both were visibly confused as they tried to make sense of the logistics. Rogan stopped mid-conversation to press his producer for clarity. “What were you just saying? I stopped you because it sounds so crazy,” Rogan said, reacting to the scale of Trump’s vision.
Trump has claimed that eight or nine championship fights will take place outside the White House in June of next year—events he described as “the biggest fights they’ve ever had.” According to the president, “every one is a championship fight. And every one’s a legendary type of fight.” He also said an arena seating between 5,000 and 6,000 people would be constructed on the White House grounds, and that UFC President Dana White is holding back certain matchups specifically for the celebration.
Rogan, a seasoned observer of the sport, immediately picked apart the numbers. “First of all, there’s only eight weight classes so how’s there gonna be nine title fights?” he asked, highlighting what he sees as a basic hurdle in the plan’s execution.
Security concerns also dominated the conversation, with Allen openly admitting he wanted no part of the event because the precautions would be “insane.” Rogan agreed, noting that any large-scale gathering at the White House—let alone one involving thousands of spectators and high-profile fighters—would require extraordinary measures.
The commentator also questioned the decision to hold the event outdoors. Drawing on past experience, Rogan pointed to a UFC fight in Abu Dhabi that struggled due to climate conditions. “It wasn’t good,” he said, stressing that outdoor environments radically affect fighters’ performance. “What if it’s hot and muggy?” he asked, reminding listeners that Washington, D.C., summers “get hot.”
Rogan recalled the Abu Dhabi event in greater detail, noting that fighters had to contend not only with heat but with swarms of large insects. “In Abu Dhabi, they had these bugs that were flying around the size of small birds. It was crazy,” he said, calling the situation “very weird” for competitors. Outdoor elements, he argued, can turn a fight into something entirely different from what fans expect.
Despite the confusion, Rogan did not criticize Trump’s desire to stage an unprecedented celebration. The conversation instead centered on whether such a massive undertaking is logistically feasible. Trump’s vision—characteristic of his go-big approach—may ultimately depend on overcoming practical challenges Rogan and others see as significant.
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