UFC 318 is set to take place this Saturday in New Orleans, but the long-time voice of the promotion, Joe Rogan, won’t be in attendance. MMA Fighting reported the lineup change on Monday.
It was announced ahead of fight week that Joe Rogan wouldn’t be on commentary duty for July 19, with Paul Felder taking his place on the broadcast. Jon Anik handles play-by-play duties as usual with UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier providing color commentary alongside Felder for the event. Heidi Androl is on hand for in-arena reporting.
As far as analysts for the card, Brendan Fitzgerald serves as the host for the evening and is joined by Louisiana native Alan Jouban, recently retired light heavyweight veteran Anthony Smith, and Chael Sonnen.
While it’s not uncommon for him to miss PPV events due to his decision to not travel for international events, it has been some time since he wasn’t present at a numbered US event.
This means that Rogan will not call Dustin Poirier’s final fight as ‘The Diamond’ makes the walk for the last time in front of his home fans in Louisiana.
Read also: UFC 318 Commentary Changes
Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back in Louisiana this week, where one of the state’s all-time best fighters will bring their career to a close in the main event of UFC 318.
After an MMA tenure spanning close to two decades, Dustin Poirier will retire against Max Holloway, as ‘The Diamond’ makes his farewell in competition for his former two-time opponent’s symbolic BMF title close to his home in Lafayette.
But when Poirier makes the walk for the last time at New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center, he will do so without the presence of a familiar voice on commentary.
Fans on Felder’s Instagram page called the absence “disrespectful” because UFC 318 marks the final fight for headlining attraction (and hometown hero) Dustin Poirier. “The Diamond” will rematch Max Holloway for the “BMF” belt in the five-round main event. Early reports have rapper “Lil’ Wayne” walking the Louisianan to the Octagon on Sat. night (July 19, 2025) inside Smoothie King Center in “The Pelican State.”
UFC officials confirmed broadcast details to MMA Fighting on Monday.
Read also: UFC 319 Breakdown by Rogan
Saturday’s event serves as the final appearance for Poirier following a legendary career as he plans to retire after his trilogy with Holloway on Saturday.
Speculation and Theories Surrounding Rogan's Absence
There has been speculation as to whether Rogan could still be in attendance for UFC 318, choosing to watch the event as a fan, but a more likely reason for his absence has also been revealed.
The lack of any conflicting tour dates has led to much speculation about Rogan’s absence, and one former fighter shared an interesting theory on X.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Joe is there to watch Dustin fight one last time with his boy Theo (Von),” ex-Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson wrote. “Actually enjoy watching one of the greatest fighters ever wrap up his career with his friends.”
Von recently attended UFC 317 from fight one, as he continues to gain a reputation for being one of the most MMA-crazed celebrities. Coming from Louisiana himself, the 45-year-old will likely be close by to see his friend bid farewell to the Octagon this Saturday.
Read also: Rogan's Rise to Fame
But Rogan will be making a rare exception, which has come as a surprise to many given it means he won’t be commentating on Poirier’s final farewell opposite a fellow legend in Holloway.
Damon Martin is a veteran journalist and insider covering combat sports since 2003.
Rogan's Vacation Plans
Several days ago, photos were taken of Rogan and his family enjoying a vacation from the comfort of a luxury megayacht.
Travelling aboard the Okto, which comes with a stunning weekly rental price of around $600,000, Rogan and his family have been seen near several places around Europe, including Venice, Italy and Croatia’s Brač island.
Fans couldn’t put their fingers on why Joe Rogan would be absent from UFC 318 having not missed a US PPV in several years despite cutting back on his UFC schedule.
The stand-up comedian didn’t appear to have a conflicting schedule in terms of his work away from being a commentator, but it looks like he had other plans that got in the way.
Bisping's Perspective on Poirier's Final Fight
“It’s in New Orleans, his hometown, and the UFC are going there specifically for Dustin Poirier, and that’s incredible,” former UFC middleweight champion, Michael Bisping, said on YouTube. “That could be the fairy tale farewell to an unbelievable career of one of everyone’s favorite fighters. But it brings a lot of pressure, it brings a lot of anxiety. You’ve got friends and family, they’re all in town, they all want to see you perform, you’re like the local hero. It brings a lot of pressure, I’m telling you right now. I’ve been there many times. Every time I fought in England, it was a little bit more stressful. But I was also undefeated in England because you want to do the people justice, you want to make them proud, and it pushes you in the training camp.”
“It’s going to be tremendous, and it will be the final time we get to see Dustin Poirier compete inside the Octagon, but I don’t know if he’s going to be the winner,” Bisping continued. “Listen, never doubt Dustin Poirier, but never doubt Max Holloway. Yes, Max Holloway was just knocked out against Ilia Topuria, so that could present some problems for him. That could have weakened the chin. Sometimes people get cracked, they get knocked out, and they’re never the same again. Or it could have lit a fire under his ass and he’s like, ‘You know what? I’m going to show the people. I’m coming to Louisiana to whoop some ass.’ And honestly, at this point, I don’t know which way it’s going down.”