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This weekend’s UFC 271 pay-per-view event will be without Joe Rogan.
The controversial podcasting host and comedian, who has been embroiled in controversy in recent weeks due to the content of his podcast on Spotify, was removed from the commentary team less than 24 hours from the start of the event.
According to MMAFighting.com, the UFC claims Rogan had a “scheduling conflict” for Saturday which led to his removal. The UFC says Rogan will return for UFC 272 next month.
On Thursday, UFC president Dana White avoided a question about Rogan’s controversies, while middleweight champion Israel Adesanya adamantly defended Rogan.
Israel Adesanya vehemently defends @JoeRogan amid his latest controversy.
"Joe Rogan is one of the nicest, coolest, humble motherf*ckers I've had the pleasure of working with."#UFC271 | Full video: https://t.co/ArYOi51nJ6 pic.twitter.com/QKAVi2L4ux
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) February 10, 2022
Without Rogan on commentary, Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier will be joined by former middleweight champion Michael Bisping.
UFC 271 is headlined by a middleweight championship bout between current titleholder Israel Adesanya and former champ Robert Whittaker. In the co-main event, heavyweights Derrick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa will battle it out.
Coverage of UFC 271 will begin with the preliminary card on ESPN+ at 6:00 p.m. ET, before the action moves to ESPN at 8:00 p.m. ET.
The main card will begin at 10:00 p.m. ET.
UFC 271: Fight Time & Viewing Details
Event: UFC 271: Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2
Date: Saturday, February 12
Location: Houston, Texas
Venue: Toyota Center
Main Card Card Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: Pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+
