Is the UFC truly the only measure of a fighter's greatness? This is the question at the heart of a recent debate sparked by none other than Joe Rogan, a voice deeply familiar to MMA fans. Rogan, who has been a fixture at the UFC commentary desk for over two decades, has a strong opinion on where the best fighters compete.
Having been involved with the promotion since 1997, Rogan's perspective carries weight. He believes that if you're not in the UFC, you can't truly be considered the best in your division. He acknowledges that fighters can make money and provide for their families in other promotions like the PFL, but he maintains that the ultimate goal is to compete in the UFC.
"That title (UFC) is worth so much. It’s the name. It’s the combat sports leader," he stated on The Joe Rogan Experience.
But here's where it gets controversial...
This viewpoint, however, has drawn criticism from several quarters, including Cris Cyborg and PFL founder Donn Davis. Davis, in response to Rogan's comments, highlighted several top PFL fighters, including Francis Ngannou, Dakota Ditcheva, Cris Cyborg, and Usman Nurmagomedov. It's worth noting that both Ngannou and Cyborg have held UFC gold, demonstrating that success isn't exclusive to the promotion.
And this is the part most people miss...
Cyborg herself added fuel to the fire, taking the opportunity to accuse Kayla Harrison of avoiding a fight with her in the PFL by moving to the UFC. Cyborg claimed Harrison took less money to fight lesser opponents.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Francis Ngannou's contract with the PFL is set to expire after his second fight this year. This could make him a free agent, potentially opening the door for a return to the UFC.
But what do you think? Is Rogan right? Does the UFC truly represent the pinnacle of MMA, or can fighters achieve greatness elsewhere? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
