Joe Rogan touted a former UFC star as someone who could’ve been in the same conversation as Khabib Nurmagomedov and other unbeaten fighters.
Joe Rogan has seen impeccable talents enter the Octagon throughout his UFC broadcasting career. But one former UFC title challenger is one of Rogan’s biggest ‘What if’s in mixed martial arts history.
Rogan, a longtime UFC broadcaster and analyst, called most of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s fights during his legendary career. Nurmagomedov retired from MMA with a perfect 29-0 record, including title defenses against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje.
Nurmagomedov’s unbeaten UFC career may never be matched. But for Rogan, one former UFC star probably would’ve been the closest thing to mirroring Nurmagomedov had he entered the promotion at a different time.
- READ MORE: Alexandre Pantoja pinpoints when Kai Asakura earned a quick ascent to title shot ahead of UFC 310
Joe Rogan explains how Yoel Romero could’ve ended UFC career undefeated
During a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan made a bold claim about former UFC middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero.
“He was 36 when he entered the UFC, already past his professional prime when he first started fighting in the UFC. If he had gotten into MMA when he was 20, probably nobody would’ve ever beaten him,” Rogan said of Romero.
“He’s the freak of all freaks. When it comes to athletic specimens, he’s a freak.”
Rogan went on to question whether or not Romero’s physicality left him short of UFC gold.
“I don’t know if you can keep that kind of muscle mass, and have the kind of cardio that you need to throw yourself into the fire more,” Rogan claimed. “You have to know how much gas you have in the tank, and only he knows. And that style he has, it’s a style he has for someone that’s very explosive, it’s very smart…but you can’t just keep exploding.”
Romero defeated former UFC champs Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, and Lyoto Machida during his UFC tenure. His last fight with the promotion was a loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 248, falling by unanimous decision before signing with Bellator in free agency.
47-year-old Yoel Romero is still getting wild knockout wins
After his UFC departure, Romero remains one of the most ferocious fighters in MMA today. He showed off his ‘fountain of youth’ mystique in February when he defeated former UFC title challenger Thiago Santos at PFL vs. Bellator.
Entering the cage at 46 years old, Romero nearly secured a world title when he fought Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 297. But, the former Bellator light heavyweight champion proved too much for Romero, and Romero lost by unanimous decision.
Romero most recently knocked out a Power Slap competitor in a Dirty Boxing Championship matchup last month, proving yet again that age is just a number. His wild knockout prompted a viral reaction from a ringside Jon Jones.
Despite age and attrition, Romero continues to go strong and compete at a high level approaching his 50s. While Romero accomplished a lot during his UFC run, Rogan believes the promotion signed him too late into his athletic prime.