Rogan returns to UFC booth

Joe Rogan is back in the booth for UFC 319 as Dustin Poirier joins the broadcast team post-retirement.

Rogan returns to UFC booth Poirier joins broadcast team after retirement

Joe Rogan returns to the UFC broadcast booth for UFC 319 in Chicago on Aug. 16. He teams with play-by-play announcer Jon Anik and UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier. Charli Arnolt serves as roving reporter while Din Thomas provides on-site analysis from the desk. Poirier also returns as an analyst for the card, joining Anthony Smith, Chael Sonnen and Michael Chiesa, marking his first official gig since retiring after UFC 318.

In the co main event, Dricus du Plessis faces Khamzat Chimaev, and Aaron Pico makes his long-awaited UFC debut against Lerone Murphy on the undercard. The card sets the stage for a broadcast that blends veteran voices with rising talent, giving fans more angles to watch beyond the main event.

The move signals UFC's emphasis on remodeling its broadcast with a mix of trusted voices and new talent. Rogan's return provides a familiar anchor for viewers while Poirier offers firsthand fighter insight after retirement. The lineup with Smith Sonnen and Chiesa promises spicy debate, but it also raises questions about balance and potential bias. Pico's debut adds a fresh storyline to the undercard and gives younger fighters a clearer platform. Overall, the broadcast aims to keep fans engaged across fights and forums, not just the main event.

The industry is watching how this team performs in a crowded market where viewer attention is scarce. If the desk can blend punchy banter with clear analysis, UFC may strengthen its media presence and attract more sponsors. If not, the noise around commentary could overshadow the fights themselves.

Highlights

The night will test whether voices shape the fights as much as scorecards