Joe Rogan is well known for his combat sports insight and often breaks down matchups between top-tier MMA fighters on his podcast.
During one recent episode, the longtime UFC commentator found himself in a friendly argument with former UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria over comments about a lightweight veteran.
Joe Rogan Got Into an Argument With Ilia Topuria Over a Veteran UFC Lightweight
Rogan hosted Ilia Topuria on the Joe Rogan Experience back in April 2025. On episode No. 166 of the JRE MMA Show, the two discussed former interim lightweight champ and ex-BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje.
Topuria, who has been calling for a shot at current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, mentioned that he’d like to fight Makhachev soon. He also said he’d like to see Gaethje face rising star Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett.
Topuria — who has a long-standing rivalry with Pimblett — picked the English fighter to beat Gaethje. He said, “I would put Justin Gaethje against Paddy Pimblett, me against Islam [Makhachev]. Once I pass him [Makhachev], I get the [lightweight] title. And you put me against Paddy…”
He implied that Pimblett would beat Gaethje easily.
Rogan jumped in, surprised: “Easy? Really? Easy? Wow! That’s a crazy thing to say because Justin Gaethje is a f****** animal.”
Topuria fired back, saying Gaethje “doesn’t know how to grapple.” Rogan pushed back, pointing out Gaethje’s background as an NCAA Division I All-American wrestler.
“But he’s a Division I wrestler. He knows how to grapple … He just chooses not to. He chooses to stand up and fight,” Rogan said.
Topuria responded by noting that Gaethje had never submitted anyone. Rogan agreed but said that it had more to do with Gaethje’s aggressive fighting style than a lack of skill.
“I don’t believe that he’s ever submitted someone,” Rogan said. “But I think that’s because he likes to just crush people. He likes to bang it out and fight.”
Topuria explained that the goal should be to finish fights quickly and decisively. “If you have the ability to submit someone as soon as you can, you would do it,” he said.
Despite the back-and-forth, the exchange stayed respectful. Rogan continued to defend Gaethje, highlighting his early-career mindset of putting on violent, high-risk fights for the fans. He contrasted that with Topuria’s more technical and defensively sound style.
Rogan also credited Gaethje for adjusting his style in recent years and becoming more calculated in his approach.
One standout moment came when Topuria asked if Rogan would pick Gaethje to beat Pimblett. Rogan admitted he wasn’t sure.
Topuria is rumored to face former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 on June 28, 2025. As for Makhachev, a potential superfight with welterweight champ Jack Della Maddalena could be next.