That’s rare for the popular podcaster, who almost always attends stateside UFC pay-per-view (PPV) events even with his demanding schedule. No explanation was ever provided but just about a month later, Rogan will return to attend and commentate UFC 319 (h/t MMA Fighting), which is scheduled for next weekend (Aug. 16, 2025) in Chicago, Illinois. UFC 319 is headlined by a highly anticipated Middleweight main event between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. A “Borz” title shot has been long-awaited by many, and Rogan will be there to find out if Khamzat is truly champion material alongside his usual crew of Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier.
Guess who else will be there? Dustin Poirier!
“The Diamond” recently revealed that one of his post-retirement goals is to spend more time on the ESPN desk, and he’ll get his wish here. Working the desk alongside Poirier will be fellow former title challengers Anthony Smith and Chael Sonnen, as well as The Ultimate Fighter winner Michael Chiesa. Longtime UFC broadcaster Brendan Fitzgerald will round out the group of veteran fighters and serve as host as the athletes provide insight through the evening.
Will there be any tension between the desk and broadcast booth after Rogan failed to make it to Louisiana? Not likely. Poirier didn’t express any misgivings ahead of his swan song, but perhaps it could lead to an interesting chat come showtime.
In addition to the main event title fight, UFC 319 will feature a high-profile Featherweight showcase between unbeaten Lerone Murphy and Bellator standout Aaron Pico. The rest of the main card is filled with high-octane strikers like Michael Page, Carlos Prates, and Kai Asakura, so it should be a violent night in “The Windy City.”
