Joe Rogan loses his mind over greatest head kick knockout, at UFC 278, goes viral, Leon Edward

Publish date: 2024-05-28

The UFC world was left with their jaws on the floor after UFC 278 ended with one of the most shocking finishes the sport has seen.

Leon Edwards became the first Jamaican UFC champion as he snapped Kamaru Usman’s 19-fight winning streak in a gigantic upset in the main event.

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It was a truly shocking moment that left the commentators stunned, including Joe Rogan.

Rogan, the comedian and TV host who has become a controversial podcast host, has been commentating the sport since UFC 37.5 in 2002, although he generally only commentates pay-per-view events in North America.

Having spent 20 years behind the mic for the promotion, Rogan is well known for his incredible reactions for some of the biggest moments in UFC history.

Edward’s shock upset was no different.

Rogan was so blown away by the moment he clutched at his co-commentators Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier. But it was his face that caught the attention of UFC fans as his reaction instantly went viral.

After he regathered himself, Rogan explained why he was so blown away, saying Edwards “head-kicked Kamaru Usman into the shadow realm”.

“That was one of the most spectacular head-kick knockouts in the history of the sport — considering the stakes, considering the consequences,” Rogan said.

“I mean, it’s flawless – flawless technique. … The way he set it up with that left, Kamaru leaned to the right – perfect head kick, out cold.

“Nothing compares. It’s the greatest head-kick knockout in the history of the sport – with the most consequences, the most at stake, the most doubt, the most people counting him out, including us.

“It was like a movie. We were counting him out. We were thinking he was going to lose a decision. Kamaru Usman was dominating. He was controlling the rounds.”

And the reason why Rogan has had such longevity in the sport despite the controversies which have surrounded him in recent years, the fans absolutely loved it.

WISH-TV’s Phil Sanchez wrote: “This is the best reaction I’ve ever seen. LOVE @joerogan”.

Actor Myko Olivier posted: “Joe Rogan is every Joe-Rogan-knockout-reaction I’ve ever seen right now”.

Author Chris Palmer tweeted: “Joe Rogan literally turned into an emoji”.

Former NBA star Tracy Murray added: “@dc_mma and @joerogan. You guys called one hell of a fight!!!! #UFC”.

Rogan has long been a controversial figure, but particularly rose to infamy during the Covid-19 pandemic.

His The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, one of the biggest podcasts in the world, drew ire when he was accused of spreading misinformation during the pandemic.

Rogan’s podcast was bought for $152m by Spotify in 2020. The show is now Spotify’s most popular podcast, with an estimated 11 million listeners per episode.

Rogan has faced ongoing criticisms of his podcast after repeatedly using the platform to cast doubt on the safety and effectiveness of the Covid vaccines and air misinformation about the virus as well as his spruiking of livestock drug ivermectin as a way to treat the virus.

The backlash really ramped up after he interviewed US cardiologist Peter McCullough and vaccine scientist Dr Robert Malone.

Both guests are known for their controversial Covid-19 beliefs and spent hours talking about everything from the efficacy of vaccines, to conspiracy theories on how the pandemic really how the pandemic began and other potential treatments for Covid being “suppressed”.

Rogan was widely condemned for airing dangerous “misinformation”, prompting music legend Neil Young to demand Spotify remove Rogan’s podcast from the platform.

But it’s not the only controversy Rogan has courted.

He was also slammed by UFC boss Dana White earlier in the year when he refused to commentate at UFC 271 as he was in the middle of a historical racism storm.

And just last week he used his 14-year-old daughter in a hypothetical about abortion after rape.

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