Veteran UFC commentator Joe Rogan has a bone to pick with the MMA fanbase.
Having been present cageside for some of the biggest fights and greatest moments in UFC history, Rogan has had a front-row seat to watch some of the best of all-time.
Whether it’s Ilia Topuria’s fast rise to greatness or Merab Dvalishvili’s surge toward possible bantamweight GOAT status, some who are part of the current crop of UFC champions are writing legacies that could be legendary.
Rogan believes that one of them, however, is still not attracting the fanfare that he is owed.
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Joe Rogan says ‘elite killer’ Alexandre Pantoja deserves more appreciation
During a recent episode of his JRE MMA Show alongside light heavyweight contender Khalil Rountree Jr., Rogan discussed the historic dismissal of the flyweight division.
While fan preference toward the heavier divisions is largely associated with Demetrious Johnson’s record-breaking reign, the podcaster thinks it remains an issue when it comes to the perception of a man pursuing a ‘Mighty Mouse’-level of success.
Rogan said current flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja is criminally underappreciated, something he insists would not be the case if ‘The Cannibal’ fought in a higher weight class.
“Pantoja, that dude does not get the love that he deserves,” Rogan said.
“When that guy gets into the Octagon, it’s like a f—— leopard just entered the room. It’s wild, man. It’s wild.
“He’s got this feeling about him that champions have when they are just f—— feeling it,” Rogan continued. “Like a jaguar or something. A killer, just some elite killer.
“If that motherf—– was a middleweight champ, he would be a superstar. To me, it drives me nuts.”
Alexandre Pantoja has broken record after record
Pantoja dominated Kara-France at UFC 317 to extend his tally of successful title defenses to four since outlasting Brandon Moreno to become champion in the consensus 2023 Fight of the Year.
The Brazilian has quickly enhanced his legacy with impressive victories as a champion, and they’ve left him as the leader in plenty of UFC categories.
Pantoja has the most wins, finishes, and submissions in UFC flyweight history. He’s also second only to Johnson, the division’s greatest of all-time, in title fight wins and the longest win streak.
Next up on Pantoja’s incredible run is expected to be a showdown with Joshua Van, who staked his claim with wins at consecutive PPVs in June. The Burmese up-and-comer most recently beat top contender Brandon Royval before facing off with ‘The Cannibal’ at UFC 317.