Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UFC announcer Joe Rogan during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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Joe Rogan Won’t Commentate UFC 318; Paul Felder To Take His Place

Joe Rogan is once again missing from the broadcast lineup, raising speculation about his evolving role within the promotion!

Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UFC announcer Joe Rogan during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Rogan’s voice has become synonymous with UFC pay per view events over the past two decades. His excited screams of “OH!” and colorful fight breakdowns have guided millions of fans through countless memorable moments. Rogan has been there to capture the magic with his infectious enthusiasm. His absence from any major UFC event is highly noted by fight fans.

But sometimes even the most dedicated voices need a break. UFC 318 in New Orleans will mark another occasion where Rogan steps away from the commentary booth. This isn’t entirely surprising for those who follow his schedule closely. The podcast king has been selective about which events he covers in recent years.

Who Will Be On The UFC 318 Broadcast Team

The broadcast team for UFC 318 reads like a who’s who of MMA talent. Jon Anik will handle the play by play duties with his trademark professionalism and encyclopedic knowledge of fighter statistics. Daniel Cormier brings his championship experience and natural chemistry with both Anik and the replacement commentator for Rogan. Paul Felder steps into the third chair, bringing his own fighting background and analytical skills to the mix. This trio has worked together before, so the transition should feel seamless for viewers.

Joe Rogan will not be on the call for UFC 318.

Paul Felder will join DC and Anik in the booth. pic.twitter.com/IUs2MIAc5E
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) July 14, 2025

Felder’s inclusion makes perfect sense from multiple angles. The retired lightweight contender fought at the highest level and understands the technical aspects of the game. His striking background gives him particular insight into standup exchanges, while his well rounded skill set allows him to break down grappling sequences effectively. More importantly, he has developed into a polished broadcaster who can match the energy of big moments without overshadowing his booth partners.

The supporting cast rounds out nicely with longtime correspondent Heidi Androl handling backstage interviews and real time updates. Bruce Buffer will once again bring his legendary announcing style to fighter introductions, ensuring that part of the UFC experience remains unchanged. Din Thomas adds his coaching perspective as an analyst. The desk crew features familiar faces like Anthony Smith, Chael Sonnen, and Dominick Cruz. It’s a deep roster that should cover all the bases throughout the evening.

(Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – Imagn Images)

Daniel Cormier

Joe Rogan

Jon Anik

Paul Felder

UFC 318

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!