In a stunning turn of events, UFC commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan has made headlines at 02:45 PM +07 on Monday, June 23, 2025, by urging Terence “Bud” Crawford to withdr aw from his highly anticipated bout with Canelo Alvarez. The clash, tentatively set for September 2025 under the promotion of Turki Alalshikh, has been a topic of intense debate, and Rogan’s intervention has added a new layer of controversy.
During the latest episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, recorded earlier today, Rogan expressed grave concerns about the weight disparity and potential risks for Crawford. “Bud’s a legend at 147, maybe 154, but moving up to 168 to face Canelo is a suicide mission,” Rogan stated emphatically. “He’s giving up too much size and power. I’m begging him to pull out—his legacy isn’t worth the damage.” The comments come after a heated press conference where Crawford and Alvarez clashed verbally, with Crawford vowing to “embarrass” the Mexican champion.
Crawford, with an unblemished 41-0 record and titles across multiple weight classes, recently claimed the WBA super welterweight belt with a knockout of Israil Madrimov. However, his plan to jump two divisions to challenge Alvarez, the undisputed super middleweight king with a 61-2-2 record, has raised eyebrows. Rogan, known for his MMA expertise, highlighted the physical mismatch, noting, “Canelo’s a tank at 168. Bud’s skill is unreal, but one clean shot could end him.”
The boxing community is split. Fans on X have flooded the platform with reactions, with one writing, “Rogan’s right—Crawford’s risking too much,” while another countered, “Bud’s a warrior, let him fight!” Alvarez’s camp has yet to respond, but the Mexican star’s history of dominating larger opponents, including his 2021 win over Caleb Plant, lends credence to Rogan’s concerns.
Alalshikh, who has pushed for the $150 million purse split, remains optimistic, tweeting, “This fight is too big to cancel.” Meanwhile, Crawford’s trainer, Brian McIntyre, dismissed Rogan’s plea, saying, “Terence knows what he’s doing. He’s ready for this challenge.” As the clock ticks toward a decision, the MMA icon’s demand has thrown the superfight into uncertainty, leaving fans wondering if Crawford will heed the advice or march on toward a historic showdown.
