UFC Commentator Joe Rogan Apologizes for Implying that Jose Aldo Lost Because He Stopped Using Steroids

UFC Commentator Joe Rogan Apologizes for Implying that Jose Aldo Lost Because He Stopped Using Steroids

UFC commentator Joe Rogan profusely apologized for implying that UFC featherweight Jose Aldo looked like he may have stopped using anabolic steroids prior to their headline fight at UFC 194. In a leaked audio clip, Rogan told a producer that Aldo looked “soft” and “deflated”. Even though Rogan never mentioned steroids by name and suggested any changes in Aldo’s physique could have been due to excessive “cardio”, many listeners interpreted Rogan’s comments as suggestive of previous steroid use by Aldo.

In a 379-word statement posted simultaneously on both Facebook and Instagram, Rogan restated his earlier comments to make it clear he never intended to make the steroid accusations that had been attributed to him. In fact, he never intended the public to hear his comments at all.

“There was an audio “leak” from inside the UFC production truck right before Saturday night’s fight where I said that Jose Aldo’s body looked smooth and deflated, and that I didn’t want to jump to any conclusions and that it could have just been from doing a lot of cardio,” Rogan wrote. “I also said he looked nervous. Needless to say this caused a lot of controversy.”

There was an audio "leak" from inside the UFC production truck right before Saturday night's fight where I said that Jose Aldo's body looked smooth and deflated, and that I didn't want to jump to any conclusions and that it could have just been from doing a lot of cardio.  I also said he looked nervous.  Needless to say this caused a lot of controversy. Since then people have posted photos of Aldo recently as well as from this fight, and he looked very similar. So for that, I stand corrected.  My apologies for being wrong to Aldo and his trainer Andre Pederneiras.  I have nothing but admiration and respect for both of them. This wasn't supposed to be a public conversation, I was just talking to my friend the producer in the truck privately. As you can see from this photo from earlier in his career his body looked different from how he looked Saturday night.  There are several possible reasons for that, one of them being that the 1st photo is him moving, and another that he had endurance problems in the later rounds of his fights and might have leaned out. Another thing some were upset with was that I didn't want an immediate rematch, and that I thought Conor should fight Frankie Edgar.  My reasons for this are that I think Frankie stylistically is a great match up for Conor.  I also think that when someone suffers a brutal knockout they should take a lot of time off to recover.  I'm not a promoter, and I don't get to decide who fights who or when, and for that I'm grateful.  What I am though, is someone who respects and cares very deeply for fighters and their health.  Too many times I've seen fighters come back too soon from being KO'ed and watch them not be able to absorb punishment anymore. Aldo is on my short list of all time favorite fighters, along with Wanderlei Silva, Anderson Silva, GSP, Mighty Mouse, and Fedor. I would love to see Aldo back motivated for revenge and gunning to regain his title.  First though, I'd like to see him rest and recover. Again, my apologies to Jose Aldo and Andre Pederneiras and anyone else I offended with my opinions.

A photo posted by Joe Rogan (@joerogan) on Dec 16, 2015 at 9:01pm PST

Rogan revisited the “soft” and “deflated” comments again when he discussed the matter with Brendan Schaub a few days later on his podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience” on December 14, 2015. Schaub said that Rogan was absolutely correct in his pre-fight comments about Aldo’s physique. Schaub didn’t mention steroids by name either. However, Schaub’s implications of previous steroid use by Aldo were more pointed than Rogan’s.

“You’re batshit crazy if you don’t think Jose Aldo’s body looked different,” Schaub said. “You’re batshit crazy if you think he’s gonna fight the same… His camp… is 1-7, 0-8 since this drug testing came out. So you’re talking about a different fighter man.”

Andre Pederneiras, the trainer for Aldo, took exception to Rogan and Schaub’s comments and the ensuing controversy. In a post published on Twitter on December 16, 2015, Pederneiras said anyone who believed such nonsense was a “palhaço” which is Portuguese for the word “clown”.

“To the clown that thinks Aldo was on something and isn’t anymore, draw your own conclusions,” Pederneiras wrote.

Para o palhaço que acha que o Aldo tomava alguma coisa e deixou de tomar, tire suas conclusões , 4 últimas lutas ! pic.twitter.com/usC8X6GMR8

— André Pederneiras (@dedepederneiras) December 16, 2015

Pederneiras posted his own side-by-side comparison photo showing Aldo at UFC 194 and Aldo at a fighter from a previous year.

Rogan has made a habit of apologizing for his comments on many occasions this year. He was particularly sensitive to the criticism he received with regards to Aldo. And once again, he couldn’t stop apologizing for possibly offending people especially Aldo and Pederneiras.

“My apologies for being wrong to Aldo and his trainer Andre Pederneiras,” Rogan said. “I have nothing but admiration and respect for both of them… Aldo is on my short list of all time favorite fighters, along with Wanderlei Silva, Anderson Silva, GSP, Mighty Mouse, and Fedor.

“I would love to see Aldo back motivated for revenge and gunning to regain his title. First though, I’d like to see him rest and recover. Again, my apologies to Jose Aldo and Andre Pederneiras and anyone else I offended with my opinions.”

Maybe next time, Rogan will apologize for being such a pussy who is unwilling to stand behind his comments.