Video: Emotional Joe Rogan tears up five minutes into UFC 300 - ‘I’m just blown away’

The emotions hit long-time commentator and fight fan Joe Rogan hard as UFC 300’s broadcast kicked off.

Emotions are already running high just minutes into UFC 300, which is taking place TONIGHT (Sat., April 13, 2024) inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The early “Prelims” broadcast kicked off moments ago (live results here), and Joe Rogan got into his feels as the cameras focused on the commentary team for the first time.

It was another big moment.

“I couldn’t sleep last night!” Rogan exclaimed, fighting to keep back tears. “I kept getting up in the middle of the night, like ‘It’s happening! It’s just hours away!’ I’m so fired up.

“I mean, I’ve been here since UFC 12,” Rogan continued. “So, just the fact that it became the sport that it is today is beyond my wildest imagination. And to be here on this card with you guys for UFC 300? I’m just blown away.”

UFC did a great job of starting the show with a powerful intro that captured the catalytic moments that took the sport from tiny “freak show” to worldwide juggernaut. And Dana White and Co. brought back UFC 1’s theme and graphics, giving a big nod to old school fans.

We certainly felt emotional. Rogan, too, clearly.

Rogan was a UFC super fan back when it was called, “human cockfighting,” and was one of the few celebrities willing to endorse the sport. He became an ambassador early on, did roving interviews at events in 1997, and then found his home as the promotion’s color commentary guy in 2002.

The rest, as they say, is history.

LIVE! Watch UFC 300 PPV On ESPN+ Here!

BIGGEST, BADDEST COMBAT SPORTING EVENT! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will make history inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sat., April 13, 2024, staging the 300th pay-per-view (PPV) event since its inception in 1993. Alex Pereira will put his 205-pound belt on the line in UFC 300’s main event against returning former division roost-ruler, Jamahal Hill. In UFC 300’s co-main event, women’s Strawweight champion, Weili Zhang, will defend against top-ranked contender, Xiaonan Yan, while Justin Gaethje puts his “Baddest Motherf—ker” gimmick belt on the line against former Featherweight deity, Max Holloway, in an all-action Lightweight showdown. UFC 300’s blockbuster PPV main card (see it here) will also feature Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan and Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage. All that and so much more! UFC 300 start time scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (Prelims) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV).

Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching action!

• STREAM UFC 300

Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 300 fight card right here, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET (simulcast on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET), before the pay-per-view (PPV) main card start time at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 300: “Pereira vs. Hill” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.