Even nearly a decade after stepping away from the octagon, MMA legend Ronda Rousey isn’t letting bygones be bygones—especially when it comes to her relationship with Joe Rogan.
The 38-year-old fighter, who retired from the UFC in 2016, has hinted at lingering frustration with the longtime commentator, suggesting that he didn’t always treat her with the respect she deserved during the later stages of her career.
A Sharp-Tongued Podcast Appearance
Rousey brought her candid style back into the spotlight during a recent appearance on the Bertcast Podcast with comedian Bert Kreischer.
The conversation quickly turned playful but pointed, especially when Kreischer asked what it would take for her to make a return to the octagon.
“I’d need a $1 billion payout,” Rousey quipped, before immediately joking that she would “beat the s***” out of Kreischer in his own backyard if that were the deal.
The exchange had the audience—and Kreischer himself—laughing, but it soon turned serious when Rousey’s comments shifted to Joe Rogan.
Taking Shots at Joe Rogan
When asked about Rogan, Rousey didn’t hold back.
“He’s not an expert, he’s a fan with an audience. He’s never fought.
Taekwondo is not fighting,” she said bluntly, dismissing Rogan’s martial arts credentials despite his decades-long presence in the UFC.
Kreischer attempted to defend Rogan, pointing out his experience in Taekwondo and his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, but Rousey was unyielding.
To her, Rogan’s skill set didn’t qualify as true fighting experience.
History of Tension Between Fighter and Commentator
This isn’t the first time Rousey has expressed disappointment in Rogan.
Last year, she reflected on how some media figures, including Rogan, quickly turned against her in the UFC’s final years.
Speaking to Chris Cuomo, she said it was disheartening to see former friends and supporters seemingly abandon her when her career hit tough patches.
A Trailblazing Career in MMA
Rousey’s own career speaks volumes. She made history as the UFC’s first female champion, successfully defending her bantamweight title six times before retiring.
Long before MMA stardom, she earned a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, becoming the first American woman to achieve the feat.
Starting her professional MMA journey in 2011 with King of the Cage, she quickly rose through the ranks, capturing the Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight title by her fifth fight.
When the UFC acquired Strikeforce, Dana White immediately crowned her the promotion’s women’s bantamweight queen.
Her MMA record stood at an impressive 12-0 before a stunning KO loss to Holly Holm in 2015, followed by a brief comeback fight against Amanda Nunes, which ended in defeat.
Life After MMA
Following her retirement from mixed martial arts, Rousey transitioned to WWE, where she enjoyed a successful five-year stint that ended in 2023.
Despite leaving competitive fighting behind, her outspoken personality and fearless approach continue to make headlines—this time, with playful jabs at Rogan and reflections on her unforgettable career.