Joe Rogan, a veteran UFC commentator, recently opened up about the challenge of pronouncing Russian and Dagestani fighters’ names correctly. During an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, he shared his experience mispronouncing Umar Nurmagomedov’s name and the effort required to master complex names like Zabit Magomedsharipov and Shavkat Rakhmonov for UFC events.
Rogan’s UFC Commentary Role
Joe Rogan started commentating for the UFC in 1997, becoming a key voice for pay-per-view events with his lively play-by-play. A stand-up comedian and martial arts enthusiast, he works alongside analysts like Daniel Cormier, bringing insight to millions. His podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, is one of the world’s top shows, covering MMA, culture, and personal stories.
Rogan’s recent podcast discussion revealed the behind-the-scenes work of pronouncing fighters’ names, a task that grows harder with the UFC’s diverse roster.
Struggles with Russian Names
Rogan admitted to a past mistake, saying:
“I fed up Umar Nurmagomedov’s name once. I knew how to say it, just my mouth didn’t work… I just fed it up.”
The error, during a UFC broadcast, highlighted the difficulty of getting names right under pressure.
He explained the broader challenge, noting:
“There are a lot of these Russian and Dagestan names that are crazy. Like, Zabit Magomedsharipov, that one is crazy.”
These names, with unique vowel patterns, require extra effort to pronounce accurately.
For unfamiliar fighters, Rogan does research.
“Before the weigh-ins sometimes I’ve never seen a guy fight before if they’re new to the UFC,” he said.
He watches their fights online but often finds conflicting pronunciations, adding to the confusion.
To solve this, Rogan relies on fighter-provided recordings.
“They have little recordings where the fighter will say their name,” he explained, emphasizing the need to study these closely to avoid mistakes during live events.
Rogan described the process of learning tough names, saying:
“Sometimes it’s like ‘Jesus Christ, play that back again, what are the vowels he’s using?’ Shavkat Rakhmonov, like, wow. Shavkat [Rakhmonov]? Okay. There’s some rough ones.”
Names like Rakhmonov’s demand repeated practice to get right.
He added, “Generally, the Russian ones are the most difficult ones,” underscoring the unique challenge posed by fighters from Russia and Dagestan, whose names often feature unfamiliar sounds for English speakers.
Umar Nurmagomedov, a Dagestani bantamweight with an 18-0 record, is Khabib Nurmagomedov’s cousin. He joined the UFC in 2021, earning stoppage wins and a No. 3 ranking by May 2025. Zabit Magomedsharipov, a retired Dagestani featherweight, had an 18-1 record, exiting the UFC in 2022 after a 6-0 run. Shavkat Rakhmonov, a lightweight from Kazakhstan, is 12-0, ranked No. 2 after submitting Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 on November 17, 2024.
Rogan’s comments reflect the UFC’s growing roster of talent from these regions, whose names challenge even seasoned broadcasters.
Rogan’s openness about his struggles shows his dedication to respecting fighters’ identities. Mispronouncing names can draw criticism, and his use of recordings helps ensure accuracy. His podcast discussion offers a candid look at the preparation behind his commentary, highlighting the effort to honor the sport’s global reach.
As the UFC features more athletes from Russia, Dagestan, and beyond, Rogan’s work to master their names remains a vital part of his role, keeping his broadcasts authentic.
