Joe Rogan is not a fan of stand-ups in MMA.
When it comes to the always-evolving rule set of mixed martial arts, certain subjects will always be a matter of debate. What is considered a downed opponent? When should a fighter be pointed for an unintentional foul? However, the one Rogan seems to really get revved up about is the ol’ stand-up rule.
While not exactly a rule, referees are free to restart a fight on the feet if a takedown generates little to no offense on the ground.
If it were up to Rogan, he would completely eliminate standups, even when it comes to starting a new round.
“It’s interesting now when you see the rules,” Rogan said while speaking with UFC legend Royce Gracie on his JRE podcast. “The rules are set up much more for strikers than for wrestlers. I’ve been talking about this lately. Say you’re a jiu-jitsu guy and you’re fighting in the first round and rounds are five minutes long and you take the guy down at four minutes and 30 seconds. You only have 30 seconds to work. I feel like if a fight should be… Even if you’re going to make it rounds, the fight is the fight. I don’t think someone should be able to get up.
“I don’t think people should stand you up, ever. I think once a guy takes you down, the fight is on the ground. If it’s boring for the audience, tough sh*t. If you’re on the bottom, get up. And if you can’t get up, tough sh*t. And if the round ends and the new round begins, I think they should start you right back in the same place.”
Joe Rogan believes that the current MMA rules favor strikers over grapplers, and suggests a rule change consisting of a 10-minute first round🤔
"The rules are set up much more for strikers than for wrestlers… the fight is the fight. I don't think you should stand people up,… pic.twitter.com/gxZ7F4JqRy
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 15, 2024
Joe Rogan Wants to See Fighters Forced to Improve Their Position in a Fight
Rogan’s biggest issue with stand-ups is that it appears to give an advantage to strikers. The longtime UFC commentator strongly believes that if a fighter is put on their back, it is their responsibility to get back up without being saved by the bell or the official.
“It gives a distinct advantage if you let a person stand up that didn’t stand up. I feel like the fight should be a fight. If the fight is five rounds, that’s a 25-minute fight and I think whatever position you are in at the end of the first round, you should begin in the second round. That’s what I think.”
Do you agree with Mr. Rogan? Should fighters be forced to improve their position instead of being rescued by the referee or the time limit?
Watch the full episode below:
