​Joe Rogan, the 57-year-old UFC commentator and podcaster, has announced he will not be attending UFC 315, scheduled for May 10, 2025, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada. During a recent episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” when informed about the event’s location, Rogan remarked, “Wow, I won’t be there. I don’t go to Canada anymore. I’d rather go to Russia.”

Rogan’s decision appears to stem from his dissatisfaction with the Canadian government. In the same podcast episode, he described Canada’s government as “terrible” but expressed admiration for its citizens, stating, “I think it’s stupid that we hate Canada… They have a terrible government but the Canadian people are awesome.

This isn’t the first time Rogan has opted out of UFC events in Canada; he also missed UFC 297 in Toronto in January 2024. His reluctance to travel to Canada may be influenced by political tensions, including U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Canada become the 51st U.S. state—a proposal Rogan has criticized as “crazy.” ​

Despite his absence, UFC 315 is set to feature notable bouts, including the welterweight title fight between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena, and the women’s flyweight title fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Manon Fiorot

When Rogan asked his guests Gordon Ryan, Brendan Schaub and Eddie Bravo when the fight is set to take place, they said, “About two months.”

“Where’s that at?” Rogan asked.

The Joe Rogan Experience producer Jamie Vernon told Rogan that the fight will be held in Montreal at UFC 315 on May 10.

“Wow, I won’t be there. I don’t go to Canada anymore,” Rogan said. “I rather go to Russia.