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Montreal MMA fans are starting to get pumped about UFC 315, the first Ultimate Fighting Championship event in the city since April 2015.
But while the May 10 fight card, headlined by Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena, promises to be a huge draw, one big name will be noticeably absent from the Bell Centre event: Joe Rogan. The veteran UFC colour commentator recently revealed he won’t be making the trip up to Montreal, and it’s not because of a scheduling conflict.
On the March 22 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, alongside MMA fighter-turned-comedian Brendan Schaub, Eddie Bravo, and Gordon Ryan, Rogan made his stance clear. “I won’t be there. I don’t go to Canada anymore,” he said.
“Nor should you,” Schaub chimed in, backing him up.
“I’d rather go to Russia,” the podcast host quipped, drawing a laugh.
“F*ck yeah,” said Schaub in agreement.
Ryan then brought up the prospect of Canada becoming the 51st state, an idea that has been repeatedly pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump in recent months as both countries impose tariffs on one another.
However, Rogan quickly dispelled the idea, saying, “That’s so crazy to ask them to be the 51st state.”
Canadians were also discussed earlier in the episode, with Rogan saying, “They have terrible government, but the Canadian people are awesome.”
The 57-year-old standup comic, who hosted Trump on his show before the 2024 election, also shared an anecdote about the President jokingly calling former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “Governor Trudeau” as cross-border tensions mount.
While Rogan might not be so keen on visiting Montreal (or anywhere else in Canada) at the moment, he has praised the city’s fight culture and its passionate Bell Centre crowds, especially during events featuring Quebec’s own UFC legend Georges St-Pierre, a four-time guest on Rogan’s podcast.
Rogan has called several Montreal UFC cards over the years, including UFC 83 (2008), UFC 97 (2009), UFC 113 (2010), UFC 124 (2010), UFC 154 (2012), UFC 158 (2013), and UFC 186 (2015).
He’s also offered the city compliments in the past. In a 2018 episode with Joe Beef owners David McMillan and Fred Morin, Rogan called Montreal a “beautiful” and “amazing” city, later claiming that Joe Beef is his “all-time favourite restaurant.”
But given his recent comments, it’s safe to assume he won’t be stopping in for their famous lobster spaghetti anytime soon.
This article’s left-hand cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
