Joe Rogan in awkward incident with fighter as UFC fans call out 'disrespect' ahead of UFC 310

Joe Rogan was involved in an awkward incident with new UFC fighter Kai Asakura ahead of UFC 310.

Asakura, 31, will take on Alexandre Pantoja, 34, for the UFC flyweight title in the early hours of Sunday morning at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The event will see Asakura make his promotional debut for the UFC after a number of years competing in the Rizin Fighting Federation in his native Japan.

UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad was also set to face Shavkat Rakhmonov in the co-main event but was forced to withdraw due to a bone infection in his foot.

Rakhmonov, 30, will instead face Ian Machado Garry, 27, in a five-round title eliminator.

Ahead of the event, there was an embarrassing mix-up which left UFC commentator Rogan in an extremely awkward position.

Conducting an interview with Asakura during Friday's ceremonial weigh-in, Rogan realised that the Japanese fighter had limited ability speaking and understanding English.

Despite the unusual situation of handing a fighter a title shot in his very first bout with the company, the UFC opted not to send a translator – forcing Rogan to try to make the best of the situation.

Conducting the interview, Rogan said: "Kai Asakura, nice to meet you, sir. It speaks so much about your reputation and your accomplishments that your debut in the UFC is for the flyweight title.

"Give us your thoughts on what this is like and what tomorrow night will bring for you."

The Japanese star replied: "Oh please, translator," to which Rogan responded: "Translator, please."

Realising there wasn't one present, Rogan then tried to move the conversation on himself.

"Oh, we don't have a translator. That's hilarious! I'll translate for you. You're gonna kick some a**. You're awesome," he said.

Asakura then interjected: "Okay, okay, okay! Tomorrow, I will put on a show. I'll become UFC champion. I will change flyweight division! Come on, baby."

Rogan then rounded off the interview, adding: "Good luck to you, sir. Kai Asakura, ladies and gentleman."

UFC fans were quick to comment on the exchange, with some claiming on social media that it was disrespectful not to send a translator for Asakura in his very first fight for the company.

"No translator? What a disrespect," posted one fan on X.

Another added: "How do you not have a translator there? Props to Kai Asakura for making something out of nothing, though."

While a third wrote: "UFC is a clown show, Asakura handled that well."