Joe Rogan’s Surprising Snub Causes an Uproar

Canadian and American flags hanging at a border crossing

Joe Rogan, the popular UFC commentator and podcast host, has chosen to skip UFC 315 in Montreal, declaring he’d “rather go to Russia” than travel to Canada amid growing tensions with the Canadian government and media.

Key Takeaways

Joe Rogan announced he will not attend UFC 315 in Montreal on May 10, stating he’d “rather go to Russia” than travel to Canada.
Rogan’s issues with Canada began during the pandemic, particularly over the government’s handling of the Freedom Convoy protests.
His comments come amid rising tensions between UFC personnel and Canadian media, including former UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland’s recent confrontation with a Canadian reporter.
The controversy occurs against the backdrop of strained US-Canada relations, with an ongoing trade war initiated during Trump’s second term.
Rogan typically avoids international UFC events, making his specific mention of Russia over Canada particularly noteworthy.

Rogan’s Surprising Russia Preference

During his UFC London Fight Companion podcast, Joe Rogan made it clear he would not be traveling to Canada for the upcoming UFC 315 event scheduled for May 10 at Montreal’s Bell Centre. In a statement that quickly gained attention across social media, Rogan declared, “I won’t be there. I don’t go to Canada anymore, I don’t. I’d rather go to Russia.” This unexpected preference for Russia over Canada highlights the growing rift between the outspoken commentator and America’s northern neighbor.

While Rogan’s absence from international UFC events isn’t unusual, his specific rejection of Canada stands out. The upcoming UFC 315 card features significant matchups, including a welterweight championship bout between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena, plus a women’s flyweight championship contest with Valentina Shevchenko facing Manon Fiorot. Despite the high-profile nature of these fights, Rogan has maintained his position of avoiding Canadian events.

Joe Rogan refuses to commentate UFC 315 in Canada: ‘I’d rather go to Russia’ https://t.co/rWSrxn55Ql

— LowKickMMA.com (@LowKick_MMA) March 24, 2025

Freedom Convoy Fallout

Rogan’s issues with Canada appear to stem primarily from the Canadian government’s handling of the pandemic, particularly the response to the Freedom Convoy protests against vaccine mandates. These protests, which saw truckers converge on Ottawa in early 2022, became a flashpoint for tensions when the Canadian government invoked the Emergencies Act to end the demonstrations, freezing approximately $7.8 million in assets from around 200 accounts linked to the protests.

Rogan’s stance echoes similar sentiments expressed by UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland, who recently made headlines for confronting a Canadian reporter. Strickland’s heated criticism included strong words about the Canadian government’s actions during the Freedom Convoy protests, further exacerbating tensions between UFC personalities and Canadian media representatives.

Broader Political Context

The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of strained US-Canada relations, with an ongoing trade war. According to reports, Mark Carney, who succeeded former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, called a snap general election citing a crisis due to Trump’s trade actions. Carney has accused Trump of attempting to undermine Canadian sovereignty.

While Rogan has been critical of the Canadian government, he has made efforts to distinguish between his views of Canadian leadership and the Canadian people themselves. His comments have received mixed reactions online, with some Canadians expressing amusement and others criticizing his characterization of their country and its policies. The controversy highlights the ongoing cultural and political divisions that continue to impact relations between entertainers, sports figures, and international audiences.