Podcaster Joe Rogan said he won’t be attending a UFC event in Montreal in May ― but that wasn’t the half of it. (Watch the video below.)
“I won’t be there,” he began before dropping a bombshell. “I don’t go to Canada anymore, I don’t. … I’d rather go to Russia.”
Rogan, a prominent UFC commentator, laughed at the latter remark, but his antagonism appeared to match President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to annex Canada while engaging in a tariff war against it. The president has often sided with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine that has now stretched beyond three years.
Rogan endorsed Trump on election eve and mingled with him at a UFC event in New York City following his victory over Kamala Harris.
During fight commentary on Saturday, Rogan also appeared to have inside information on the genesis of Trump jabbing at former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about Canada becoming the 51st state.
“I had a conversation with Trump about it,” Rogan said. He said Trump told him, “I started calling him Gov. Trudeau just for fun, but a lot of people are saying it’s a good idea. Maybe it’s a good idea.” However, the podcaster said, “that’s never gonna happen.”
Earlier in the video, Rogan discussed U.S. foreign relations, which included his thoughts on Canada’s leadership.
“It’s stupid that we hate France, I don’t get it,” he said. “I think it’s stupid that we hate Canada too. I don’t get that either. … They have a terrible government but the Canadian people are awesome.”
Mark Carney, Canada’s new prime minister, mourned the dissipation of Canadian-American relations on Monday.
“In this crisis caused by the U.S. president and those who are enabling him, we lament a friendship lost,” he said.
UFC 315 in Montreal on May 10 will feature a UFC men’s welterweight championship bout and a women’s flyweight title fight.
But it won’t have one of the sport’s prominent faces on hand.
Fast-forward to 3:13:30 for Rogan’s thoughts on avoiding Canada:
