Joe Rogan lauds “excellent” Jake Paul ahead of fight with Ben Askren

Joe Rogan has some high praise for Jake Paul ahead of the YouTube star’s professional boxing match with former UFC fighter Ben Askren.

Paul will meet Askren, who previously held the ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight titles, in an eight-round boxing match on April 17. The bout will be Paul’s third as a pro after stopping fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib and former NBA star Nate Robinson. Askren, meanwhile, will be making his pro boxing debut.

Despite Askren’s accolades as a decorated MMA champion, he has never been known for his striking, instead leaning on his world-class wrestling to win his fights. Paul, meanwhile, has managed to impress many fans with the strides he’s made in the Sweet Science.

Rogan, for his part, seems to be very impressed by the YouTube star.

“You can watch [Paul] hit the bag, watch him hit pads, watch him spar—he’s got good timing, he’s got very good hand speed, his technique is excellent,” Rogan said on his podcast, heaping praise on the YouTube star (h/t Bleacher Report). “He’s got very good striking technique.”

As a long-time UFC commentator, it should come as no surprise that Rogan is also impressed by Askren, but he recognizes that the wrestler will be deprived of all of his best weapons in this boxing match.

“[Askren] is strong as f*ck,” Rogan said. “He knows how to grab ahold of guys, and drag them to the ground and implement his style. He won’t be able to do that. His main thing will be out. His main thing will be completely removed.”

Suffice it to say that Rogan seems to be leaning toward a Jake Paul victory on April 17.

Joe Rogan has been working for the UFC since 1997. Initially, he served as a backstage interviewer for the promotion, but quickly moved into a color commentary role. He has worked for the promotion ever since, and has become as much a part of big UFC cards as the Octagon itself.