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Joe Rogan Defies Social Distancing Rules While Conducting Post-Fight Interview At UFC 249

Joe Rogan Defies Social Distancing Rules While Conducting Post-Fight Interview At UFC 249

The commentator 'threw a fit' over the rule and said he wanted to look the fighters 'in their eyes'

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Joe Rogan was not happy about social distancing rules implemented ahead of UFC 249.

Saturday's event took place in VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida in front of no fans and a strict set of rules.

One of those conditions was that the broadcast team would have to sit far away from the fighters and post-match interviews would have to be conducted at a safe distance.

But it seems like Rogan wasn't a fan of the rule after testing negative for the coronavirus and, as a result, conducted his usual post-fight interview inside the Octagon.

The fight on ESPN showed the commentator even shaking one fighter's hand and standing right next to others during the interview.

Rogan explained what happened in a discussion with fellow commentator Daniel Cormier.

Joe said: "At least they let me do the post-fight interviews in the Octagon, they were going to make me do it from two yards."

Daniel replied: "You threw a fit before the show. This is insane we were all tested. We were all clean."

Rogan added: "Everyone's been tested and they wanted me to interview fighters from like 50 feet away and I was like I can't, I want to see them, I want to look in their eyes."

The reaction on social media has been mixed, with some people calling out Rogan for not sticking to the predetermined rules and others saying it's no big deal because they all tested negative.

UFC boss Dana White says the whole thing was a bit clunky because they're still sorting out what they can and can't do.

"Obviously there's this whole social distancing and keeping people away from each other," he said.

"Everybody here was tested. People that are here are negative but I don't know you know, we're just trying to figure it out. We're still trying to figure this whole thing out."

Fighter Ronald 'Jacare' Souza tested positive for coronavirus on the day of 249.

A statement from the UFC was given to MMA Fighting, which said: "UFC's medical team examined Souza and his two cornermen and found them to be currently asymptomatic, or not exhibiting the common symptoms of COVID-19.

"As per UFC's health and safety protocols, all three men have left the host hotel and will be self-isolating off premises, where UFC's medical team will monitor their conditions remotely and will provide assistance with any necessary treatment."

Featured Image Credit: ESPN

Topics: SPORT, News