Joe Rogan, the longtime voice of the UFC, has confirmed that he will not be calling UFC 315 in Montreal, citing his decision to avoid international events—including Canada. The event, set for May 10, will feature Belal Muhammad defending his welterweight title against Jack Della Maddalena, alongside Valentina Shevchenko’s flyweight title defense against Manon Fiorot. However, Rogan’s absence has become a talking point, as he humorously stated, “I’d rather go to Russia.”
Why Joe Rogan Won’t Call UFC 315
Rogan’s decision not to travel to Canada isn’t entirely surprising. For years, he has refrained from calling international UFC events due to his reluctance to travel. During his Fight Companion podcast for UFC London, he doubled down on his stance, telling co-hosts Gordon Ryan, Brendan Schaub, and Eddie Bravo,
“I don’t go to Canada anymore. I don’t.” When Schaub joked, “Nor should you,” Rogan laughed and made his now-viral remark about preferring Russia over Canada.
While Rogan’s absence from international pay-per-views has become routine, many were unsure if Canada fell into that category. His comments now confirm that even events in North America won’t bring him back to the commentary booth unless they take place in the United States.
The Real Reason Behind Rogan Avoiding International Events
Joe Rogan has long been open about his disinterest in excessive travel. The 56-year-old podcaster and comedian prefers to remain in Austin, Texas, where he records his widely popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast. Even his stand-up comedy tours have become infrequent, and he only commits to calling UFC pay-per-view events in the U.S.
Former UFC champion and analyst Michael Bisping addressed Rogan’s absence from international events, explaining on the Jaxxon Podcast that, “He doesn’t want to travel anymore. He only does the pay-per-views in the U.S., and if the UFC is in Australia or Canada, guys like me, Dominick Cruz, or Paul Felder step in.”
Rogan’s decision to skip UFC 315 comes after he also missed UFC 297 in Toronto, reinforcing that his self-imposed travel restrictions apply even to Canada. This means the UFC will once again have to find a temporary replacement for him on the commentary team.
Rogan, Trump, and the Canada Controversy
During his podcast, Rogan also shared a story about a conversation he had with former President Donald Trump, where he joked about referring to former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “Governor Trudeau.” Rogan said Trump told him, “A lot of people are saying it’s a good idea [to make Canada the 51st state]. Maybe it is a good idea!”
Although the remark was made in jest, it highlights a political divide between the U.S. and Canada. Tensions between the two countries have increased, particularly due to Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods, which have led to trade disputes. The recent resignation of Justin Trudeau and the rise of new Canadian leadership under Mark Carney has further complicated relations. Carney has openly criticized Trump’s trade policies, stating,
“We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump’s unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty.”
While Rogan did not directly cite political reasons for avoiding Canada, his comments suggest that he has no interest in being part of the country’s current landscape, even for a major UFC event.
Who Will Replace Rogan at UFC 315?
With Rogan out of the picture, the UFC will likely stick to its standard backup lineup for international pay-per-views. Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier are expected to be on the broadcast team as usual, and another analyst—possibly Michael Bisping, Dominick Cruz, or Paul Felder—will likely fill Rogan’s role.
Despite Rogan’s absence, UFC 315 remains a must-watch event, with Belal Muhammad defending his welterweight title in his first championship fight and Valentina Shevchenko looking to retain her belt against a rising contender. However, for longtime UFC fans, it will be yet another event without the iconic voice of Joe Rogan at the commentary table.
