UFC 297 missed the presence of the usual PPV commentator, Joe Rogan, in the commentary booth. However, this didn’t mean he was uninformed about the event. Rogan, joined by Eddie Bravo, Joey Diaz, and Brendan Schaub, engaged fans with a Fight Companion watch party.
Rogan’s absence from UFC 297 was primarily attributed to its location at Scotiabank Arena in Vancouver, Canada. It’s worth noting that Rogan holds strong opinions against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose left-leaning policies do not align with Rogan’s socio-political beliefs.
Fans erupt with f*ck Trudeau chants at UFC 297
UFC 297, the first PPV of 2024, held in Canada had political connotations as the middleweight champion Sean Strickland made it clear with his disapproval of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Strickland had a heated exchange with a journalist about LGBTQ issues and even criticized the journalist for his support of Trudeau.
“F*ck Trudeau” chants break out at the UFC event in Toronto 🍁🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/9PBcReqTPZ
— Hussein E (@therealhebrahim) January 21, 2024
Anti-Trudeau sentiments became evident in the Scotiabank Arena during the bantamweight preliminary card fight between Serhiy Sidey and Ramone Taveras. Unexpectedly, chants of “FcK Trudeau” echoed in the arena, catching the UFC commentators by surprise. Play-by-play commentator Jon Anik humorously unofficially bestowed the title of pound-for-pound loudest UFC fans to the Canadians.
The strong reaction against Trudeau stems from his policies during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent public response. Notably, similar sentiments are expressed in the United States, where “FCk Joe Biden” chants are common in many arenas for comparable reasons.
Nonetheless, former US President Donald Trump has a considerable fan base in the UFC; both among fans and fighters. UFC CEO Dana White is a very close friend of Trump and has even vouched for him on multiple occasions. Moreover, Trump is a regular on PPV events in the US where he sits cageside with White. His most recent appearance was on UFC 296 but he left midway through Colby Covington’s speech.
Joe Rogan reacts to supporters’ chants at UFC 297
The reaction of the anti-Trudeau crowd at UFC 297 did not go unnoticed by UFC commentator Joe Rogan, who unfortunately was not at the event. However, he shared his response on his YouTube channel which live-streamed his watch party.
“Canada! get your shit together, come back to what you used to be,” said Rogan after he heard the sentiment of the Canadian UFC fans. It was a sentiment shared by his fellow friends at the watch party, Brendan Schaub, Eddie Bravo, and Joey Diaz.
Joe Rogan soaking in Canada's sentiment on Trudeau during tonight's UFC event.pic.twitter.com/D3iihdlwg4
— Steven_Tyler (@StevenT65674368) January 21, 2024
Joe Rogan often provides his political stance on his podcast, the Joe Rogan Experience, and often hosts noted personalities from the political world on it. Even though he has not endorsed any of the Presidents in the USA, he often criticizes Joe Biden and speaks highly of Donald Trump.
What do you think of the ani-Trudeau chants at UFC 297? Leave your prediction below!
