Joe Rogan Not Happy
Popular podcast host and UFC color commentator Joe Rogan questions the booking of Bisping vs. GSP. Citing Romero as the crux of his argument, Rogan feels like the UFC might as well do away with titles all together:
“I really want to see Yoel Romero get a shot at the title,” Rogan said (transcription via MMA Fighting). “He’s waiting, he’s waiting right now for what I think is an interesting fight between Michael Bisping and Georges St-Pierre. I think that’s an interesting fight. In terms of the hierarchy of the division, I don’t like it. As far as the division goes, it’s not good at all. It sort of hijacks the whole situation.”
Purist Point of View
“There’s great fighters and you get them together and you make great fights, but I don’t like it.” he continued. “I’m not concerned at that. But from a purist point of view, and someone who feels like – look, if you’re going to have a champion and you’re gonna have these divisions where one man rules over the division, there should be a very clear hierarchy.
“If you have a champion and you have all these people waiting in line to get a shot at that champion, the person who is perceived to be the best in that division is the one who should be fighting the champion next. The champion should always be fighting the number one available challenger. Right now, that is Yoel Romero.”
Why Bother With Titles?
“As a person who deeply respects the position of champion – if you’re gonna do this whole interim title thing and you’re gonna have guys come back after being out of the sport for three years and get a shot right at the title, why have f**king championships at all?
“Why have a champion at all? Just set up great fights,” Rogan said. “And if you’re just setting up great fights, well that’s a great fight. Bisping versus GSP is a great fight. If you’re going to have a title, this is the champion of the world, then the champion should be defending his title against the number one challenger and that right now is Yoel Romero.”
